2C • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014O BRIEFLY OMAHAMARATHON ...€¦ · 2C • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4,...
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2C • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014 OMAHA WORLD-HERALD SPORTS According to the Red Cross, 54 percent of Americans can’t swim. We want to swim; it’s that waiting-an-hour-after-eating thing that’s the holdup. It’s the Heat vs. Spurs in the NBA Finals. It’s bad enough we watch the NBA playoffs on TV for weeks, but now we’re left with a rerun. Phil Mickelson is being investigated for alleged insider trading. That’s too bad, because insider trading is the only crime a professional athlete hasn’t been accused of committing in the past 18 months. BREAKING BRAD LAMPOONING LAMPOONING THE LATEST THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS. SPORTS NEWS. BY BRAD DICKSON BY BRAD DICKSON For Brad’s latest musings, go to Omaha.com/Dickson FOOTBALL Packers receiver Nelson prefers deal before season GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson said he would prefer to sign another extension before the season rather than playing out the final year of his contract. The former Kansas State All-American caught a career- high 85 passes for a career- best 1,314 yards with eight touchdowns last season. He said Tuesday he’s not sure the team and his agent have had substantive talks about a contract extension. Nelson signed a three-year, $13.9 million extension in 2011. In other news: » Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley said the team informed him this offseason that it was not picking up the 2015 option in his contract. » Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus will miss the next two weeks of voluntary practices to take time off from football in a bid to get his life and career on track following his latest off-field legal issue. Coach Doug Marrone made the announcement after practice Tuesday, four days after Dareus crashed his Jaguar into a tree while allegedly racing another car not far from the Bills’ stadium. Expressing disappointment in Dareus, Marrone said he is taking a more personal role in attempting to help a player who is dealing with what he called “personal issues.” » The Bears signed kick returners/receivers Armanti Edwards and Micheal Spurlock and reached an injury settlement with receiver Domenik Hixon. » Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis says the club and Jonathan Goodwin have agreed to a one-year contract bringing the veteran center back to New Orleans. Goodwin played for New Orleans from 2006 to 2010, starting the last three seasons. He was named to a Pro Bowl and won a Super Bowl in the 2009 season. » Linebacker and special teams standout Blake Costanzo has rejoined the 49ers, 2½ years after leaving the organization to play for the Bears. » Dan Marino says he is withdrawing as a plaintiff in a concussion lawsuit against the NFL, and doesn’t suffer any effects from head injuries. The Hall of Fame quarterback said that within the past year, he authorized a claim to be filed on his behalf in case he needed future medical coverage. Marino said he didn’t realize he would automatically be listed as a plaintiff, and he has decided not to be part of the lawsuit. Saban’s new deal worth nearly $7 million a year MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama coach Nick Saban can make more than $55 million over the next eight years with the Crimson Tide. A unanimous vote by the Alabama system trustees’ compensation committee Tuesday made Saban’s new deal official nearly seven months after the university announced the agreement. The 62-year-old Saban will make $6.5 million in base pay and what the university describes as a “talent fee” plus a $400,000 completion bonus for each year. It’s a seven-figure raise over the eight-year contract worth about $5.6 million annually he received in March 2012. New offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin will make a little more than $2 million over three years. In other news: » Georgia coach Mark Richt said starting safety Tray Matthews won’t return to the team in 2014. Matthews and three former Georgia teammates are scheduled to be arraigned in Athens-Clarke County court Thursday after being charged three months ago with illegally cashing scholarship checks. » Linebacker Darian Claiborne and defensive lineman Isaiah Golden have been dismissed from the Texas A&M football team. The dismissal comes after both players were arrested on drug charges in the last few months. BASKETBALL Bower returning to NBA as general manager of Pistons DETROIT — Jeff Bower is returning to the NBA, this time to join the front office of the Detroit Pistons. Detroit announced Tuesday that Bower had been hired as the team’s general manager, part of an offseason overhaul in which Stan Van Gundy was hired last month as the coach and team president. Bower was the coach at Marist College last season, but he resigned that position Monday. Bower has been a general manager and coach in the NBA, holding both those positions with the Hornets in 2009-10. In other news: » Coach Randy Wittman has received a contract extension from the Wizards after leading the team to its first playoff berth since 2008. Virginia coach Bennett signs seven-year contract Virginia men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett has a new seven- year contract. Athletic Director Craig Littlepage made the announcement Tuesday. He said the contract carries through the 2020-21 season. It replaces an extension to Bennett’s original contract that was scheduled to end following the 2018-19 season. A release from the school states that the new deal increases Bennett’s salary and supplemental compensation to $1.942 million. In other news: » Michigan forward Max Bielfeldt has had hip surgery and is expected to miss much of the summer. GOLF Krumland shoots 68, wins senior title on home course COLUMBUS, Neb. — Mike Krumland of Columbus overcame a two-shot deficit to claim the 16th Nebraska Senior Amateur by two shots Tuesday on his home course. Krumland’s final round of 4-under-par 68 at Elks Country Club on Tuesday put his winning score at par 144. It is his second Senior Amateur title, the first coming in 2006. John Sajevic of Fremont was runner-up for a third consecutive year. Age division winners were David Clouse of Friend (50 to 57), Krumland (58 to 64) and John Haney of Lincoln (65 and older). Final championship-flight leaders: 1, Mike Krumland, Columbus, 76-68—144. 2, John Sajevic, Fremont, 76-70—146. 3, David Clouse, Friend, 78-72—150. 4, tie, John Haney, Lincoln, 79-72—151; Jay Muller, Bennington, 76-75—151; Dave Shillinglaw, Papillion, 75-76—151. 7, tie, Steve Peterson, Lincoln, 74- 78—152; Gregg Vonnahme, Omaha, 74-78—152. 9, tie, Mike Wiester, Columbus, 77-77—154; Doug Rose, Wayne, 76-78—154; Steve Samuelson, Fremont, 74-80—154. HIGH SCHOOLS Weather causes alterations to western Iowa schedules Severe weather wiped out what was supposed to be a busy sports evening Tuesday across western Iowa. Hail, heavy rain and thunderstorms forced postponements in all nine of the area’s regional girls soccer contests in Classes 1-A and 2-A. The only game that began was Riverside at Council Bluffs St. Albert, with the Saintes up 2-0 at the 13-minute mark. Play will resume at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the YMCA fields. Other 1-A games were also pushed back to Wednesday afternoon. Among them are West Sioux at Sioux City Heelan (6 p.m.), Missouri Valley at Carroll Kuemper (6), A-H-S-T vs. Harlan (4, at Treynor), Underwood at Treynor (6), Atlantic at Tri-Center (6) and Creston vs. Centerville (6, at Indianola). New times for 2-A games: Sioux City West at Thomas Jefferson (4:30) and Glenwood at Council Bluffs Lewis Central (5). Class 3-A games will be played Wednesday as originally scheduled. A full night of baseball and softball also fell by the wayside. Some games were postponed, while others were canceled. Compiled from press services and local reports. BRIEFLY BY KATY HEALEY WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER The owners of the Omaha Marathon said they’re address- ing the concerns that surfaced after last year’s race. HITS Endurance, a national event-production company, faced pointed criticism after its first time organizing the mara- thon in September. Organizers acknowledged those shortcom- ings after the race and recently announced specific plans to fix them. They have also partnered with Team Jack, a local charity that benefits pediatric brain cancer research. Runners can donate to Team Jack when they register. They can also choose to raise $500 for the charity, and organizers will waive their registration fee. Here’s a breakdown of the changes that runners can expect at the Omaha Marathon on Sept. 21. NEW FINISH LINE Last year: With the finish line in sight, runners were directed inside TD Ameritrade Park, where they ran on the warning track, then exited the stadium to finish. This year: Runners will finish inside the stadium and exit to receive food and drink. Organizers said this will eliminate confusion and congestion about locating post-race fuel. NEW T-SHIRT Last year: The men received moisture-wicking shirts and the women received cotton shirts, though everyone paid the same registration fee. The shirts were also short-sleeved and not Omaha Marathon-specific but promoted HITS Endurance. This year: Both men and women will receive moisture-wicking, long- sleeved shirts that will be Omaha Marathon-specific and designed for each gender. NEW MEDAL Last year: The new event organizers carried over the same medals from previous years, which were made of glass. This year: The medals will not be made of glass, because some runners reported worries that they might shatter if dropped. The medals will highlight the Omaha skyline and will be Omaha Marathon-specific. NEW SIGNAGE Last year: Runners missed turnaround points. This year: Race organizers are incorporating elevated signs to draw attention to turnaround points. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Last year: The 1-mile and 5K races were on Saturday, while the 10K, half-marathon and marathon were on Sunday. This year: All five running events will be on Sunday. The half- marathon and marathon will both start at 7 a.m. The 5K will start at noon. The 10K will start at 1 p.m. The 1-mile race will start at 3 p.m. Contact the writer: 402-444-1071, [email protected] twitter.com/KatyHealey5 OMAHA MARATHON Marathon making changes after criticism Bellevue West standout Johnson seeking Big Ten offers Bellevue West wide receiver C.J. Johnson has already had a busy summer attending camps around the Midwest trying to earn scholarships from Big Ten programs. He caught his breath — for seven minutes to talk to reporters — Tuesday at the MG Camp before he dives headlong into more camps. He’ll hit Nebraska’s football camp for one day during the June 8 to 10 window. He then intends to compete at Wisconsin’s camp shortly after that. Though Johnson has offers from Wyoming and Ohio, he’s pursuing the Huskers, Badgers and other schools. “I really want to show off my explosiveness,” Johnson said. “That’s what they’ve all been worried about: my explosiveness and my speed. I’ve been working on that. I want to show some good route running and be able to create some separation between myself and the DBs.” Johnson said he expects to get a Nebraska offer at the camp — because he expects to impress coaches. Plus, he said, NU assistant coach Barney Cotton is “really pushing for an offer.” “I’ll give them everything I’ve got,” said Johnson, the son of former Nebraska wide receiver Clester Johnson. If Nebraska and Wisconsin offer, Johnson said, a few more schools might, too. Sunday, Johnson attended a Nike camp on Ohio State’s campus; the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder even took a few reps at tight end. “I thought I held my own pretty well, actually,” Johnson said. The trip to Columbus included a visit to Athens, Ohio, home of Ohio University. “They had some good things to say,” Johnson said. North running back Strong has big goals for season As a junior, Omaha North running back Calvin Strong helped the Vikings win a state title while he ran for 3,000 yards. He set a high bar for himself, so how does he clear it in his senior year? “I don’t know what goal I can set this year but to break my own record,” Strong said. “No fumbles this year. All positive yards — no tackles in the backfield.” Strong said “family stuff” has kept him from attending most summer camps, but he said he will be in Lincoln for Nebraska’s football camp. He also plans to visit South Dakota State, the only school that has extended an offer. “Any camp that’s coming up, I’d be willing to go to,” Strong said. “I really do need to get out more like I did last year.” Strong said Nebraska coaches have told him to work on his footwork and speed. Strong said he’d recently run his fastest 40- yard dash, 4.62 seconds. “Everything’s just coming along fine,” Strong said. Transfer says Omaha South is ‘a different program’ After transferring from Omaha Burke to Omaha South in the offseason, junior-to-be defensive end Noah Fant was bound to see familiar faces at the MG Camp. Both the Bulldogs and Packers competed in it. “We’re still friends and stuff,” Fant said of his former Burke teammates, “but when we’re on that field, we’re enemies at that point.” The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder could be the state’s top football prospect for the 2016 class. Already, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Oregon have stopped by South to express interest. Fant, who made several strong plays Tuesday at tight end, said he’d be fine playing either offense or defense. He said there are also schools recruiting him in basketball. While South’s basketball team is likely to be among the state’s best next year, the football program has in recent years lagged behind Metro powers North, Central, Westside, Burke and Omaha Creighton Prep. Fant said the Packers are growing in the right areas. “Intensity — the ‘want’ to win — we’re changing that,” Fant said. “We’re changing that right now. We’re coming out here to show everybody we’re a different program and we’re going to change it.” — Sam McKewon MG CAMP NOTES Husker commit DaiShon Neal from Omaha Central — along with many other players — took Tuesday as a chance to size up competition and match up against old friends. Though players go to different schools, many have known each other for years. After Neal’s day was done, he walked by a group of North players and said hello. The camp was a hit with Strong, an All-Nebraska running back who ran for more than 3,000 yards last year. “I love it, I love it,” he said. “It’s good to see all my friends that I grew up playing football with, even if they play for dif- ferent teams.” Most teams had enough play- ers to put two or three units on the field, mixing and matching guys as needed. The camp is open to players about to enter the 10th through 12th grades, so not all athletes on the largest squads present Tuesday will start or even play much varsity this fall. The camp thus serves as a foretaste of the biggest stage this fall. “It lets the young guys get some playing time — it’s a little sneak preview of what Friday nights will look like,” Bellevue West wide receiver CJ Johnson said. Johnson fit the camp into a demanding summer schedule of camps all over the Midwest as he tries to earn scholarship offers from Big Ten programs. Neal said he got a sneak preview of the kind of attention he’ll face this fall. A surprise commit for the Huskers in the spring, Neal no longer looks like a surprise: The defensive end has bulked his 6-foot-6 frame up to 245 pounds. He received plen- ty of attention from opponents Tuesday. “I’m going to be facing a whole lot of double teams this year,” Neal said. “Now I can go back and discuss with my dad how I can work on my technique and get off them.” Neal said he was kicked out of the first game Tuesday because “supposedly I roughed the passer.” “That’s kind of ironic,” Neal said with a smile. “We’re out here playing football. But I can understand.” It’s not quite Friday night yet. But the MG Camp isn’t a bad appetizer. “Sometimes offseasons can be quite long — especially if you don’t have spring football,” Burke’s Limongi said. “This is something you work toward in the winter and then, once it’s concluded, you feel refreshed. You give the kids a couple days off, and come Monday, it’s all about attacking the summer.” Contact the writer: 402-202-9766, [email protected] twitter.com/swmckewonOWH Camp: Teams welcome the diversion from conditioning Continued from Page 1 MORE ONLINE See more photos from Tuesday’s high school football action at the MG Camp, including scrimmages featuring some of the state’s top prospects. NEPrepZone.com RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD Omaha North back Tavion Seals tries to break a Bellevue West tackle. The Thunderbirds joined the seven OPS schools and Papio South at the camp. ‘THE BOTTOM LINE’ WITH MIKE’L SEVERE Receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow announced his plans to transfer from Washington to Nebraska over the weekend, and he discussed his decision Tuesday on “The Bottom Line.” The 6-foot-3, 229-pound receiver played at Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley, California, and nearly chose the Huskers a couple of years ago. Highlights of the Tuesday interview with Stringfellow, who caught 20 passes with the Huskies as a freshman in 2013: On his first impression of Nebraska, during his recruitment out of high school: “I only went on three visits. One of which was Nebraska, which I would say was probably the best experience I had, with the game atmosphere and the coaches and the connection with the players.” Former Huskers Eric Martin and Quincy Enunwa played at Stringfellow’s high school: “I know Eric, from just what he’s done at Rancho. I went to a couple games his senior year and saw him destroy people. And then Quincy ... his senior year, which was my freshman year, I played right behind him. He taught me a lot of what I know now.” On Enunwa’s physical style of play: “That’s something that our head coach stressed a lot because we both played the inside slot receiver. We had to block a lot of the linebackers and the defensive ends. One of his main focuses was making sure that we were physical, that we weren’t scared to stick our head in there and block him.” On the reaction of Nebraska’s coaching staff when he chose NU: “(Receivers) coach (Rich) Fisher was pretty excited over the phone, when I actually got the release to talk to coaches. He explained to me that he was going to do his best to get me the opp to come and play there. That was initially the only school that I contacted. I feel like they were pretty excited, probably just as excited as I was.” Stringfellow would like to petition for a waiver to play immediately: “That’s a conversation that me and the coach have to have when I come up on a visit. Hopefully I can get the opportunity to be able to show what I can do this year. But if not, I can sit out and just get better the whole year and come back even more strong next season.” On his role in offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s offense: “Wherever he puts me, inside or outside, I’m going to do my best to shine, and just to be the best. I’m coming to shatter records. And do everything I can to be the best.”
Transcript of 2C • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014O BRIEFLY OMAHAMARATHON ...€¦ · 2C • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4,...
2C • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014 OMAHA WORLD-HERALDSPORTS
According to the Red Cross, 54percent of Americans can’tswim. We want to swim; it’s thatwaiting-an-hour-after-eating thing
that’s the holdup.
It’s the Heat vs. Spurs in theNBA Finals. It’s bad enough wewatch the NBA playoffs on TV forweeks, but now we’re left with arerun.
Phil Mickelson is beinginvestigated for alleged insidertrading. That’s too bad, becauseinsider trading is the only crime aprofessional athlete hasn’t beenaccused of committing in thepast 18 months.
BREAKINGBRAD
LAMPOONINGLAMPOONING
THE LATESTTHE LATEST
SPORTSNEWS.SPORTSNEWS.
BY BRADDICKSONBYBRADDICKSON
For Brad’s latest musings,go to Omaha.com/Dickson
FOOTBALL
Packers receiver Nelsonprefers deal before seasonGREEN BAY, Wis. — Packerswide receiver Jordy Nelson saidhe would prefer to sign anotherextension before the seasonrather than playing out the finalyear of his contract.The former Kansas StateAll-American caught a career-high 85 passes for a career-best 1,314 yards with eighttouchdowns last season. Hesaid Tuesday he’s not surethe team and his agent havehad substantive talks about acontract extension.Nelson signed a three-year,$13.9 million extension in 2011.In other news:» Lions defensive tackle NickFairley said the team informedhim this offseason that it wasnot picking up the 2015 optionin his contract.» Bills defensive tackle MarcellDareus will miss the next twoweeks of voluntary practices totake time off from football in abid to get his life and career ontrack following his latest off-fieldlegal issue.Coach Doug Marrone madethe announcement after practiceTuesday, four days after Dareuscrashed his Jaguar into a treewhile allegedly racing another carnot far from the Bills’ stadium.Expressing disappointment inDareus, Marrone said he istaking a more personal role inattempting to help a player whois dealing with what he called“personal issues.”» The Bears signed kickreturners/receivers ArmantiEdwards and Micheal Spurlockand reached an injury settlementwith receiver Domenik Hixon.» Saints General ManagerMickey Loomis says the club andJonathan Goodwin have agreedto a one-year contract bringingthe veteran center back to NewOrleans.Goodwin played for NewOrleans from 2006 to 2010,starting the last three seasons.He was named to a Pro Bowl andwon a Super Bowl in the 2009season.» Linebacker and specialteams standout Blake Costanzohas rejoined the 49ers,2½ years after leaving theorganization to play for theBears.» Dan Marino says he iswithdrawing as a plaintiff in aconcussion lawsuit against theNFL, and doesn’t suffer anyeffects from head injuries.The Hall of Fame quarterbacksaid that within the past year,he authorized a claim to be filedon his behalf in case he neededfuture medical coverage. Marinosaid he didn’t realize he wouldautomatically be listed as aplaintiff, and he has decided notto be part of the lawsuit.
Saban’s new deal worthnearly $7million a yearMONTGOMERY, Ala. —Alabama coach Nick Saban canmake more than $55 millionover the next eight years with theCrimson Tide.A unanimous vote by theAlabama system trustees’compensation committeeTuesday made Saban’s new dealofficial nearly seven months afterthe university announced theagreement.The 62-year-old Saban willmake $6.5 million in basepay and what the universitydescribes as a “talent fee” plusa $400,000 completion bonusfor each year.It’s a seven-figure raise over theeight-year contract worth about$5.6 million annually he receivedin March 2012. New offensivecoordinator Lane Kiffin will makea little more than $2 million overthree years.In other news:» Georgia coach MarkRicht said starting safety TrayMatthews won’t return to theteam in 2014.Matthews and three formerGeorgia teammates arescheduled to be arraigned inAthens-Clarke County courtThursday after being chargedthree months ago with illegallycashing scholarship checks.» Linebacker Darian Claiborneand defensive lineman IsaiahGolden have been dismissedfrom the Texas A&M footballteam.The dismissal comes after bothplayers were arrested on drugcharges in the last few months.
BASKETBALL
Bower returning to NBA asgeneral manager of PistonsDETROIT — Jeff Bower isreturning to the NBA, this time tojoin the front office of the DetroitPistons.Detroit announced Tuesday thatBower had been hired as theteam’s general manager, part ofan offseason overhaul in whichStan Van Gundy was hired lastmonth as the coach and teampresident. Bower was the coachat Marist College last season,but he resigned that positionMonday.Bower has been a generalmanager and coach in the NBA,holding both those positions withthe Hornets in 2009-10.In other news:» Coach Randy Wittman hasreceived a contract extensionfrom the Wizards after leadingthe team to its first playoff berthsince 2008.
Virginia coach Bennettsigns seven-year contractVirginia men’s basketball coachTony Bennett has a new seven-year contract.Athletic Director CraigLittlepage made theannouncement Tuesday. He saidthe contract carries through the2020-21 season. It replaces anextension to Bennett’s originalcontract that was scheduledto end following the 2018-19season.A release from the schoolstates that the new dealincreases Bennett’s salary andsupplemental compensation to$1.942 million.In other news:»Michigan forward MaxBielfeldt has had hip surgery andis expected to miss much of thesummer.
GOLF
Krumland shoots 68, winssenior title on home courseCOLUMBUS, Neb. — MikeKrumland of Columbus overcamea two-shot deficit to claim the16th Nebraska Senior Amateur bytwo shots Tuesday on his homecourse.Krumland’s final round of4-under-par 68 at Elks CountryClub on Tuesday put his winningscore at par 144. It is hissecond Senior Amateur title, thefirst coming in 2006.John Sajevic of Fremont wasrunner-up for a third consecutiveyear. Age division winners wereDavid Clouse of Friend (50 to 57),Krumland (58 to 64) and JohnHaney of Lincoln (65 and older).
Final championship-flight leaders: 1, Mike Krumland,Columbus, 76-68—144. 2, John Sajevic, Fremont,76-70—146. 3, David Clouse, Friend, 78-72—150.4, tie, John Haney, Lincoln, 79-72—151; Jay Muller,Bennington, 76-75—151; Dave Shillinglaw, Papillion,75-76—151. 7, tie, Steve Peterson, Lincoln, 74-78—152; Gregg Vonnahme, Omaha, 74-78—152.9, tie, Mike Wiester, Columbus, 77-77—154; DougRose, Wayne, 76-78—154; Steve Samuelson,Fremont, 74-80—154.
HIGHSCHOOLS
Weather causes alterationsto western Iowa schedulesSevere weather wiped out whatwas supposed to be a busysports evening Tuesday acrosswestern Iowa.Hail, heavy rain andthunderstorms forcedpostponements in all nine ofthe area’s regional girls soccercontests in Classes 1-A and 2-A.The only game that began wasRiverside at Council Bluffs St.Albert, with the Saintes up 2-0at the 13-minute mark. Play willresume at 4 p.m. Wednesday atthe YMCA fields.Other 1-A games were alsopushed back to Wednesdayafternoon. Among them are WestSioux at Sioux City Heelan (6p.m.), Missouri Valley at CarrollKuemper (6), A-H-S-T vs. Harlan(4, at Treynor), Underwood atTreynor (6), Atlantic at Tri-Center(6) and Creston vs. Centerville(6, at Indianola).New times for 2-A games:Sioux City West at ThomasJefferson (4:30) and Glenwoodat Council Bluffs Lewis Central(5).Class 3-A games will beplayed Wednesday as originallyscheduled.A full night of baseball andsoftball also fell by the wayside.Some games were postponed,while others were canceled.
Compiled from press servicesand local reports.
BRIEFLY
BY KATY HEALEY
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
The owners of the OmahaMarathon said they’re address-ing the concerns that surfacedafter last year’s race.
HITS Endurance, a nationalevent-production company,faced pointed criticism after itsfirst time organizing the mara-thon in September. Organizersacknowledged those shortcom-ings after the race and recentlyannounced specific plans to fixthem.
They have also partneredwith Team Jack, a local charitythat benefits pediatric braincancer research. Runners candonate to Team Jack when theyregister. They can also chooseto raise $500 for the charity,and organizers will waive their
registration fee.Here’s a breakdown of the
changes that runners can expectat the Omaha Marathon on Sept.21.
NEW FINISH LINE
Last year:With the finish line insight, runners were directed insideTD Ameritrade Park, where theyran on the warning track, thenexited the stadium to finish.
This year: Runners will finishinside the stadium and exit toreceive food and drink. Organizerssaid this will eliminate confusionand congestion about locatingpost-race fuel.
NEW T-SHIRT
Last year: The men receivedmoisture-wicking shirts and thewomen received cotton shirts,
though everyone paid the sameregistration fee. The shirts werealso short-sleeved and not OmahaMarathon-specific but promotedHITS Endurance.
This year: Both men and womenwill receive moisture-wicking, long-sleeved shirts that will be OmahaMarathon-specific and designedfor each gender.
NEWMEDAL
Last year: The new eventorganizers carried over the samemedals from previous years, whichwere made of glass.
This year: The medals will not bemade of glass, because somerunners reported worries thatthey might shatter if dropped.The medals will highlight theOmaha skyline and will be OmahaMarathon-specific.
NEWSIGNAGE
Last year: Runners missedturnaround points.
This year: Race organizers areincorporating elevated signs todraw attention to turnaroundpoints.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Last year: The 1-mile and 5Kraces were on Saturday, while the10K, half-marathon and marathonwere on Sunday.
This year: All five running eventswill be on Sunday. The half-marathon and marathon will bothstart at 7 a.m. The 5K will start atnoon. The 10K will start at 1 p.m.The 1-mile race will start at 3 p.m.
Contact the writer:402-444-1071, [email protected]/KatyHealey5
OMAHAMARATHON
Marathonmakingchangesaftercriticism
BellevueWeststandout Johnsonseeking Big Ten offersBellevue West wide receiverC.J. Johnson has already had abusy summer attending campsaround the Midwest trying toearn scholarships from Big Tenprograms. He caught his breath— for seven minutes to talk toreporters — Tuesday at the MGCamp before he dives headlonginto more camps.He’ll hit Nebraska’s footballcamp for one day during the June8 to 10 window. He then intendsto compete at Wisconsin’s campshortly after that. Though Johnsonhas offers from Wyoming andOhio, he’s pursuing the Huskers,Badgers and other schools.“I really want to show off myexplosiveness,” Johnson said.“That’s what they’ve all beenworried about: my explosivenessand my speed. I’ve been workingon that. I want to show somegood route running and be able tocreate some separation betweenmyself and the DBs.”Johnson said he expects to get
a Nebraska offer at the camp —because he expects to impresscoaches. Plus, he said, NUassistant coach Barney Cotton is“really pushing for an offer.”“I’ll give them everything I’vegot,” said Johnson, the son offormer Nebraska wide receiverClester Johnson.If Nebraska and Wisconsin offer,Johnson said, a few more schoolsmight, too. Sunday, Johnsonattended a Nike camp on OhioState’s campus; the 6-foot-2,190-pounder even took a few repsat tight end.“I thought I held my own prettywell, actually,” Johnson said. Thetrip to Columbus included a visitto Athens, Ohio, home of OhioUniversity.“They had some good things tosay,” Johnson said.
North running back Stronghas big goals for seasonAs a junior, Omaha North runningback Calvin Strong helped theVikings win a state title while heran for 3,000 yards. He set a highbar for himself, so how does heclear it in his senior year?
“I don’t know what goal I canset this year but to break my ownrecord,” Strong said. “No fumblesthis year. All positive yards — notackles in the backfield.”Strong said “family stuff” haskept him from attending mostsummer camps, but he said hewill be in Lincoln for Nebraska’sfootball camp. He also plans tovisit South Dakota State, the onlyschool that has extended an offer.“Any camp that’s coming up, I’dbe willing to go to,” Strong said. “Ireally do need to get out more likeI did last year.”Strong said Nebraska coacheshave told him to work on hisfootwork and speed. Strong saidhe’d recently run his fastest 40-yard dash, 4.62 seconds.“Everything’s just coming alongfine,” Strong said.
Transfer says Omaha Southis ‘a different program’After transferring from OmahaBurke to Omaha South in theoffseason, junior-to-be defensiveend Noah Fant was bound to seefamiliar faces at the MG Camp.Both the Bulldogs and Packers
competed in it.“We’re still friends and stuff,”Fant said of his former Burketeammates, “but when we’re onthat field, we’re enemies at thatpoint.”The 6-foot-4, 210-poundercould be the state’s top footballprospect for the 2016 class.Already, Nebraska, Wisconsin andOregon have stopped by South toexpress interest. Fant, who madeseveral strong plays Tuesday attight end, said he’d be fine playingeither offense or defense. He saidthere are also schools recruitinghim in basketball.While South’s basketball team islikely to be among the state’s bestnext year, the football programhas in recent years lagged behindMetro powers North, Central,Westside, Burke and OmahaCreighton Prep. Fant said thePackers are growing in the rightareas.“Intensity — the ‘want’ to win— we’re changing that,” Fantsaid. “We’re changing that rightnow. We’re coming out here toshow everybody we’re a differentprogram and we’re going to changeit.”— SamMcKewon
MGCAMPNOTES
Husker commit DaiShon Nealfrom Omaha Central — alongwith many other players — tookTuesday as a chance to sizeup competition and match upagainst old friends. Thoughplayers go to different schools,many have known each otherfor years. After Neal’s day wasdone, he walked by a group ofNorth players and said hello.
The camp was a hit withStrong, an All-Nebraska runningback who ran for more than3,000 yards last year.
“I love it, I love it,” he said.“It’s good to see all my friendsthat I grew up playing footballwith, even if they play for dif-ferent teams.”
Most teams had enough play-ers to put two or three units onthe field, mixing and matchingguys as needed. The camp isopen to players about to enterthe 10th through 12th grades,so not all athletes on the largestsquads present Tuesday willstart or even play much varsitythis fall. The camp thus servesas a foretaste of the biggeststage this fall.
“It lets the young guys getsome playing time — it’s a littlesneak preview of what Fridaynights will look like,” BellevueWest wide receiver CJ Johnsonsaid. Johnson fit the camp intoa demanding summer scheduleof camps all over the Midwestas he tries to earn scholarshipoffers from Big Ten programs.
Neal said he got a sneakpreview of the kind of attention
he’ll face this fall. A surprisecommit for the Huskers in thespring, Neal no longer looks likea surprise: The defensive endhas bulked his 6-foot-6 frame upto 245 pounds. He received plen-ty of attention from opponentsTuesday.
“I’m going to be facing awhole lot of double teams thisyear,” Neal said. “Now I can goback and discuss with my dadhow I can work on my techniqueand get off them.”
Neal said he was kicked out ofthe first game Tuesday because“supposedly I roughed thepasser.”
“That’s kind of ironic,” Nealsaid with a smile. “We’re outhere playing football. But I canunderstand.”
It’s not quite Friday night yet.
But the MG Camp isn’t a badappetizer.
“Sometimes offseasons canbe quite long — especially ifyou don’t have spring football,”Burke’s Limongi said. “This issomething you work toward inthe winter and then, once it’sconcluded, you feel refreshed.You give the kids a couple daysoff, and come Monday, it’s allabout attacking the summer.”
Contact the writer:402-202-9766, [email protected]/swmckewonOWH
Camp: Teams welcome the diversion from conditioningContinued from Page 1
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See more photos from Tuesday’shigh school football action at theMG Camp, including scrimmagesfeaturing some of the state’s topprospects. NEPrepZone.com
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Omaha North back Tavion Seals tries to break a Bellevue West tackle. The Thunderbirds joined the seven OPSschools and Papio South at the camp.
‘THE BOTTOM LINE’ WITHMIKE’L SEVERE
Receiver Damore’ea Stringfellowannounced his plans to transferfrom Washington to Nebraska overthe weekend, and he discussedhis decision Tuesday on “TheBottom Line.”The 6-foot-3, 229-poundreceiver played at Rancho VerdeHigh School in Moreno Valley,California, and nearly chose theHuskers a couple of years ago.Highlights of the Tuesday interviewwith Stringfellow, who caught 20passes with the Huskies as afreshman in 2013:
On his first impression ofNebraska, during his recruitmentout of high school:
“I only went on three visits. Oneof which was Nebraska, which I
would say was probably the bestexperience I had, with the gameatmosphere and the coaches andthe connection with the players.”
Former Huskers Eric Martinand Quincy Enunwa played atStringfellow’s high school:
“I know Eric, from just what he’sdone at Rancho. I went to a couplegames his senior year and sawhim destroy people. And thenQuincy ... his senior year, whichwas my freshman year, I playedright behind him. He taught me alot of what I know now.”
On Enunwa’s physical style ofplay:
“That’s something that our head
coach stressed a lot becausewe both played the inside slotreceiver. We had to block a lot ofthe linebackers and the defensiveends. One of his main focuses wasmaking sure that we were physical,that we weren’t scared to stick ourhead in there and block him.”
On the reaction of Nebraska’scoaching staff when he choseNU:
“(Receivers) coach (Rich) Fisherwas pretty excited over the phone,when I actually got the release totalk to coaches. He explained tome that he was going to do hisbest to get me the opp to comeand play there. That was initiallythe only school that I contacted. Ifeel like they were pretty excited,
probably just as excited as I was.”
Stringfellow would like to petitionfor a waiver to play immediately:
“That’s a conversation that meand the coach have to have whenI come up on a visit. HopefullyI can get the opportunity to beable to show what I can do thisyear. But if not, I can sit out andjust get better the whole year andcome back even more strong nextseason.”
On his role in offensivecoordinator Tim Beck’s offense:
“Wherever he puts me, inside oroutside, I’m going to do my best toshine, and just to be the best. I’mcoming to shatter records. And doeverything I can to be the best.”
