Toe The Line Wednesdays (Week 6)

Coming into the final week of the 2010 Westchester Twilight Track & Field Series, athletes were sure to put their best on the line.

Among those who were there on Tuesday, Aug. 10 was Beacon grad and North Eastern University-bound Alex Shapiro. The Section 1 champion in the indoor 600 meters, outdoor 400 meters, and the winner in both the indoor and outdoor long jump has been recovering from knee tendonitis. Showing heart and perseverance to get back to the top of his game, Shapiro won the 100 meters with a time of 11.3.

"The series is just fantastic," said Shapiro. "It allows me a great opportunity to get some recovery work in and still have fun with other competitors."

Athletes from all over the Tri-State area have come to compete and make a name for themselves. Take for example Saunders High School grad Joe Gibbs, the 19-year old who won the high jump with a height of 6-feet. He said the series can help him make a case to get on a premium college track team.

"For me to compete is a blessing, "said Gibbs. "I just plan to train more and enter any open meets that are available. Just try to improve enough to be able to get on a college team soon."

Stories of this kind of persistence string throughout the fabric of the Westchester Twilight Series, even to the older runners. Overall point's winner for the 50-59 age bracket, Nick Mitchell, has toed the line almost every week in field events like javelin and discus, throwing distances of 140-0 in the javelin and 20-0 in the disc. Not to mention the occasional one-mile run or 5K Mitchell will appear in.
Mitchell not only brought his winning spirit as an athlete, but also as a coach. Mitchell, who is the head coach of the Wings Like Eagles Track Club, led his team to a decisive point's victory for the Youth Westchester Twilight Track and Field Series Overall Points Crown. The kids' overall points victory was a major accomplishment in what was a very competitive and populated field. The highly talented Westchester Striders Team finished second, followed by the Taconic Youth Track Club for third.

From the throwing circle came other notable stellar performances from athletes like James Hall. Hall launched a mammoth shot into the stratosphere during the hammer throw, sending his winning toss a total distance of 207-5. Manhattan College graduate Mike Pellet, a competitor who has thrown distances of 60-0 in the shot put, threw 49-1 with a 14-pound shot. The 29-year old Pellet ultimately finished second to Taylor Bernstein, who threw 52-5 ½ with a 12-pound shot. Bernstein was again in the winners' circle, recording the farthest throw in the discus with a distance of 142-7.
A top distance performance came from Carmel Assistant Coach Mike Coffey. Coffey crossed the finish line in the 5K first in 16:51.

Somers's Kevin Nolan pole vaulted 12-6 at the Jersey Jumps Beach Vault in Seaside Heights, N.J. Nolan, a returning junior, will be a key piece for the defending Section 1 champions for the upcoming season.

With such talented groups of track clubs running alongside a dedicated cast of veteran track athletes, the series looks to continue to grow.

Head Meet Director Roy Arnesen thanked everyone for their support.

"We owe a huge thank you to the both the Town of Cortland Recreation Department and the Taconic Road Runners Organization," Arnesen said. "With both their added efforts to support our summer program, it is clear the friendship they have with running programs and the running community in general."

Find entire meet results at: ny.milesplit.us/.

Toe The Line Wednesdays (Week 5)

In Westchester, the Twilight Track and Field Series, now in its fifth week, has provided people with a place to have fun, bring the community together and keep athletes sharp before their upcoming sporting seasons. But for one group of young track and field athletes, this series provides a glimpse into competitive track and field.

The Wings Like Eagles Track Club, better known as Wings Track Club, is unique; 80 percent of the children enrolled with the club are home schooled and lack the organized sports opportunities that most public schools provide for their enrolled students.

Named after a sequence of songs and verses in the Bible, the Wings Like Eagles Track Club was started by Stepinac Head Track and Field Coach Nick Mitchell.

"We started with our local Pentecostal Church where there were a large amount of home schooling families," Mitchell said. "Our first year, in 1998, we started with 25 children; 10 were home schooled at that time. And then there began networking. It simply just caught on from there."

It has caught on with young athletes like 14-year-old Calvin Ocheltree, who won multiple events Tuesday, Aug. 3. Ocheltree crossed the line first in the 12- to 14-year age bracket with a time of 7.0 in the 55-meter dash and 13.3 in the 100-meter dash.

The Club allows home schooling families the capability to fulfill all New York state Physical Education Requirements. For more information on the Wings Track Club send an e-mail to 4theneed@gmail.com.

Team Mosley

The dynamic brother tandem from Middletown, Mel and Manny Mosley, competed Tuesday, Aug. 3. Both are New York state champions in at least one event: Mel is the 600-meter state champ and Manny is the 400-meter hurdles state champ.

Mel ran the 200-meter dash in 22.7, and the 400-meter dash in 49.3. Brother Manny competed in the 400 hurdles, finishing with a time of 58.5. The Mosley brothers finished the night running together in the 4x400 meter relay, where the anchor leg flew across the finish line with a compiled time of 3:30.6.

No slowing down

Younger athletes can strive to one day be as resolute as 78-year-old Tom Talbott, of Connecticut. With two broken ribs, he ran the 400-meter dash in a time of 2:31.28.

"I just love it," said Talbott, who runs for Sprint Force America. "I will never quit."

Toe the Line Wednesdays (Week 4)

The fourth week of action at Westchester Summer Twilight Track saw an influx of families and top-notch athletes migrating to the series’ new home at Somers High School. Many performances were noteworthy Tuesday night, July 27, but one stood out among the rest.

Flora Neuman wrote history, competing as the oldest athlete to ever participate and win at the Westchester Track and Field Series at the age of 99. Neuman walked out to the track Tuesday night for the age 60-and-up division of the 55-meter dash and crossed the finish line alone in a time of 35 seconds to what was a standing ovation with her family by her side.

“I got a ribbon, I got a ribbon,” said the overjoyed Neuman, who ran uncontested. “I loved it here; I will run in any race.”

But it was this race, the 55-meter dash, where the 99-year-old Linconlndale resident chose to compete only one month ago, and laid claim to a truly inspirational moment. The senior’s history of an active lifestyle strings throughout her life, deriving from a simple activity called walking.

“You would be surprised that I did not participate in any sports growing up,” she said. “I walked a lot though. I used to walk from my house and go long distances.”

The senior’s noninvolvement in organized sports may come as a shock, but it is ultimately her fountain of youth secret that has kept her in such good shape.

“I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I do not eat between meals,” said Neuman, an ex-Bronx native. “And I just keep skinny.”

The happy high that came with the 99-year-old senior’s performance permeated to the other athletes as the 5-kilometer run featured a Section 1 cross country preview with Somers and Harrison runner’s front and center.

Chris D’Antona, a junior at Harrison, crossed the finish line first, making a statement with a time of 16:56.

“I was just hoping for a good time,” he said. “I wanted to see what I could do, considering I am getting a lot better training then I ever have before.”

Somers also took the track having their fifth man run a time under 18:00; last year in this race, the Tuskers’ fifth man ran above 19:00; maybe a sign of good things to come. Coach Tim Fulton has confidence in his Somers squad with a highly competitive Section 1 Cross Country season looming.

“Today was about building confidence,” Fulton said. “Brewster beat us last year for their first sectional title, but we have won three before that. So, these guys are just looking to put us back on top, somewhere where we have been before.”

Fulton practices what he preaches; running the 5K in 17:54. That performance could put Fulton in Somers’s team top six, quite impressive for a runner in his mid 30s.

Empire State Games Open Men's Decathlon winner Alfonso Scannapieco, a Lakeland alum, competed in events like the 100-meter dash, 4x100-meters, 4x400-meters, high jump and pole vault. He continued his winning ways in the 100-meters with a time of 11.4 and a second place finish in the 4x400-meters in 3:58.4.

Meeting the PROS

Through day two of the "Bruce Beck Ian Eagle Sports Broadcasters Camp," the entire experience has been terrific! Day 1 consisted of meeting the tremendous NBC Sports Broadcaster Bruce Beck and the Sophisticated New Jersey Nets Play-By-Play man Ian Eagle. These two broadcasting professionals dug into important topic on how to become a successful sports broadcaster with topics on types of reporting (TV, Radio, Field Reporting, ect.), preparation, and the player/reporter interaction. Key highlights have been the always exciting experience of reading off teleprompter, running through demos of what it is like to be on talk radio, and learning first hand how the reporters we see and hear everyday got their start . On Day 3, the camp will be taking my fellow campers and me to the "NEW" Giants Stadium for a sneak peak, along with a look at the NBA TV Studios in New York. Below you can look at shots with two big broadcasters I meet in SNY's Mets field reporter Kevin Burkhardt and MSGVarsity Sport Desk's Jared Greenberg.  More in depth coverage with photos of my trip to the "NEW" Giants Stadium and MORE will be brought to you throughout the course of the week.This will allow you to get a small taste of the experience only the "Bruce Beck Ian Eagle Sports Broadcasters Camp" can give. All that and more will be right here on, "The Storm Report."

SNY's very own Kevin Burkhardt and I pose during some talk about New York Mets baseball.

MSGVarsity's Jared Greenberg stopped by the "Bruce Beck Ian Eagle Sports Broadcasting Camp" where we discussed on MSGVarsity's Out Reach Program.

Toe the Line Wednesdays (Week 3)

After facing the harsh elements of scorching heat on July 6th, followed by a torrential down poor of rain canceling racing action on July 13th, fair weather finally smiled down upon the Westchester Summer Twilight Track &Field Series, as the track meet saw its largest crowd along with some of its best competition thus far in the 2010 summer campaign.

Hendrick Hudson High School was the site of the high-octane action, where youngsters like 6-year-old Elton Howard kicked events off. Howard won both the 50-meter (9.7sec) and 100-meter (18.7sec) dashes in his 6 to 7 age bracket. After the race, young Elton struck the pose of track icon Usian Bolt stating, “I wanted to win and run hard so I could win a blue ribbon,” Howard said.

Others followed that mentality as two future bright stars in 12-year-old Benito Muniz of the Carmel Running Club and 13-year-old Veeral Shah of Westchester Striders raced in the Boy’s 1600-meter run. Muniz finished in first with a time of (5:19.6), followed by Shah in 2nd with a time of (5:23.6) for the boys 12-to 14-age bracket. Muniz spoke about his approach and goals stating, “My game plane is to keep my mile splits at a certain time, so when the third and forth laps come, it’s make it or break it. My fastest mile is 5:02. But my goal for next year is to win the Nation Scholastic Indoor Championships for the 7th and 8th grade mile and run a time of 4:45.” Benito Muniz would finish the evening winning the 400-meter dash with a time of 63.9sec.

But in the end, the star of the night 12-year-old Chelsea Ogindo. Ogindo won all of her races with fast times, running 28.4sec in the 200meter dash, beating out fellow Westchester Strider teammate Avalon Garrick with his boy’s winning 200 meter dash time of 28.9sec. Ogindo also edged out another male competitor in the 400-meter dash, where she ran a time of 63.9sec. That surpassed the boy’s 400-meter winner Benito Muniz's mark of 63.9sec, just a mere four tenths of a second. If that was not enough, Chelsea Ogindo would go onto help her female teammates win the girls 4 by 100 meter relay with a time of 59.8 sec in the 12 to 14-age bracket. That mark would again beat the boys, as the male Westchester Striders 4 by 100-meter relay team ran a time of 61.0sec compared to the girls 59.8. Chelsea Ogindo commented on her work with the Westchester Striders saying, “The training has been kind of tough. Our coaches just want us to do our best at Nations and get a top eight finish."

Other notable performances were Avalon Garrick and Shenece Davis winning the 100-meter dash. Garrick's winning mark was 14.2sec in the 12 to 14-age bracket, followed by Davis’s girl’s winning time of 14.7sec in the 10 to 11 grouping. Ramma Blasdele won the girls 12 to 14 long jump with a distance of 11’ 11”. Ten-year-old Matt Trainer won the boys long jump with a leap of 13’ 6”. The boy’s shot put and discus winner was Harry Lieblich with throws of 34’ 5” in the shot put, and 98’ in the discus. The winners in the javelin were 14 year-old Pat Shaia with a throw of 64’ 2” for the boys, and Kelly Weinborg with a throw of 35’ 3” for the girls 12 to 14-age brackets.

Adult race action kicked off on the Hendrick Hudson track at its regular 6: 30pm to a great race that has only gotten better. On July 6th Herbert Okuti was the winner in the 1600-meter run with a time of 5:00.9, that was two weeks ago. This week, on July 20th, Okuti turned on the gas as he cruised to a time of 4 min 36sec to win his second meet victory in the 1600-meter run.

But Herbert Okuti is no stranger to these times due to the fact that it was only last year when he ran 4min 5sec in the 1600-meter. Unfortunately he developed a stress fracture injury in his ankle, ultimately leaving him sidelined for months. The Iona College graduate spoke about the relief of his performance stating, “I think I am heading in the right direction. It is a good thing to see where I am going.” When ask about the difference in his training Okuti stated, “Coach Mike Barnow of the Westchester track Club gives you a training program that is made to make you sore but not break you down.” Okuti’s goal is to reach one of tracks biggest stages that, if reached, could evaluate his running carrier to a whole new level. “Last year I set a goal to compete in this year's Millrose games at Madison Square Garden, and that is still my target.” Okuti finished the night as the winner in the 800-meter dash with a time of 2:20.8. He did that to help pace fellow Westchester Track Club teammate Kristina Kates to a Women’s 800-meter win. Kates wins the event for the second time this summer with a time of 2:21.9, bettering her previous mark of 2:25.3 two weeks ago. Look for more stellar races from Okuti, as he continues his quest each Tuesday night at the Westchester Summer Twilight Track & Field Series.

Additional action came from Saunders native Rob Aryeoquyz who won the 100meter dash with a time of 11.7sec. Talented 10th grader Korey Christian of Lakeland Panas High School came in second with a time 12.0sec. Christian came back in the 200-meter dash, getting the win with a quick time of 24.1 sec. With continued training, Lakeland Panas appears to have a bright star in Korey Christian.

The Dover’s cross country team showed up with six of their Varsity runners on Tuesday. Many of which, including Cody Orton, competed in the 5 Kilometer race. The 12th grade Orton was first to cross the finish line with a time of 16: 58.7, and spoke after the race about his aspirations for his final High School Cross Country season. “I really want to win Section 1 Class C. If we could bring that home, it would mean a lot. We have a lot of seniors this year, so this is our last shot to make something happen.” The 3K winner was John Dean with a time of 10:55.7.

The field events section of the Westchester Summer Twilight Track & Field Series welcomed in a big time hammer thrower native to Hendrick Hudson in Harry Weintraub. Coming into the meet, Weintraub has shined on all of tracks largest stages placing eighth at Nationals and second at Eastern States. Tuesday night ended up being no different as he won the hammer throw with a mammoth shot of 180’10”. Also in attendance was Manhattan College Graduate Mike Pellet who in his carrier has throw distances of 60ft in the shot put. Pellet ultimately finished with a throw of 44’10”, placing second to Tristan Leclere who threw the shot a distance of 45’6”.

Be sure to take note that the final three weeks of the six-week series will conclude at Somers High School on Aug 3 and Aug 10. Every week first gun is set to go off at 4:30p.m. for kid’s events, followed by the adult races slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. Entry fees are $5 per event or $6 for unlimited events. For more information, visit www.runner.org/summertrack.

NCAA Troubles

Coming up through the ranks of competitive athletics, everything from the little leagues to the pros shares the same sentiment. Evolving expectations, codes of ethics, and rules that make whatever sports level an athlete is playing on, fair for all. But now in 2010 it seems that the silver lining that divides these different levels of athletic completion are becoming too often crossed. Crossing these boundaries means students miss out on the competition, the reward that comes with victory, and the opportunity for others to continue a winning tradition. Big name colleges like USC, University of Alabama, and the University of Florida have become all to familiar with this dark truth, as rules violations swirl around them with developments of possible misconduct.

It was only 5 years ago when current New Orleans Saint running back Reggie Bush helped the USC Trojans win a BCS National Championship in 2004, and propelled the team back to the BCS Nation Championship game in 2005. But not even the 2005 USC Heisman Trophy winning football icon himself was impermeable to the world around him, as the NCAA hammered strong sanctions onto the University of Southern California. During bush’s time at USC, it is said that his parents received a San Diego home in exchange for Bush signing as an agent’s client. Thereby violating NCAA rules and making Bush ineligible to compete in completive NCAA sports.

After long speculation and investigation, the NCAA eventually took action against USC and docked a total of 30 scholarships over a three-year span. The NCAA additionally has taken away wins from USC during the 2004 and 2005 football seasons in games Reggie Bush played due to his pronounced ineligibility. Things continued to look bad for the Trojans, as the team will be banned from postseason bowl play for the next 2 years, and charged with a total of 4 years of probation. 

To show the NCAA that action is being taken to better the situation at USC, all jerseys and photographic murals that depict the embattled Bush, and former USC college basketball player OJ Mayo, will be purged from the school to separate USC from these scandals. This move comes on the heels of USC firing their athletic director Mike Garrett who had managed the athletic department for USC over the past 17 years. It is said that even though the school had a remarkable knack for winning under his watch. The management of scandalous situations over Garrett’s stay was lacking, and requiring his removal as Athletic Director.

 This ultimately begs the question, “Why do college teams and coaches even put up with the headache media and outside visitors to coming close to their college athletes?” University of Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban expressed his frustration when he said, “I don’t think its anthing but greed that is creating it right now on behalf of the agents. Agents that do this, I hate to say this, but how are they any better than a pimp? I have no respect for people who do that to young people, none.”

Saban’s vented aggravation follows the allegations that Alabama Junior Defensive Lineman Marcell Dareus attended an agent’s party in Miami. “We tell our players, we don’t want you to do any business on a street corner. We’re not trying to keep our guys away from agents. We’re just trying to keep what happens on the street corner from happening. We’re not trying to deny our guys access. We’re proactive in allowing them, the times that they’re allowed to talk it agents, get all the education they need about making a good selection when their season is over.”

While in a perfect world a college organization may be able to limit an athlete’s interaction with possible agent eligibility violators on the school’s campus. Like Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban expressed, the real violations come away form the friendly confines of the college setting, and in an environment as simple as a street corner. Saban spoke about the NFL’s in the subject stating, “I’m about ready for college football to say, ‘Let’s just throw the NFL out. Don’t let them evaluate players. Don’t let them talk to players. Let them do it at the combine.’ If they are not going to help us, why should we help them?”

With Saban taking a bold stand, a set of rules and ethics should be created for agents when it comes to interaction with NCAA athletes. An appropriate retribution many believe should be enforced is to have these agent offenders have their license taken away for a year. It makes sense since they currently do not receive any punishment for these types of infractions with nothing holds them back from continuing to commit the act.

In the end, you can add another great school’s name to the hat with the University of Florida now under investigation. Former player Maurkice Pouncey, currently a Center with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is under investigation for possibly taking $100,000 from a representative of a sports agent during the time between Florida’s loss to Alabama in the SEC Conference Title Game, and their victory over Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl.

Only time will tell if we see agents become held responsible for their violations of interacting with college athletes. The truth is, more will fall and the possible repercussions similar to USC’s could follow. But when that happens, the NCAA could take more than what it did with USC. They could possibly strip away a National Championship from a school in the process. 

Toe the Line Wednesdays (Week 2)

Due to weather, this weeks meet at Hendrick Hudson High School for the Westchester Summer Twilight Track & Field Series was unfortunately canceled. Only the third time in the meet's history since 1982 has the meet been cancel. We will still bring you next weeks action right here on www.stmreport.blogspot.com .

-Mike Rossillo
(Editor and Chief of  "The Storm Report")
email: BoSox24@optonline.net

Return of the Walking Wounded

With the NL’s redemption in the 81st All-Star Game, winning by a score of (3 – 1). (The lowest scoring All-Star Game since 1997.) Both the American and Nation Leagues will return to second half baseball looking for another kind of redemption. “Injury Come Backs.” For teams like the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Mets, key players are expected to return that can could make or break a season that has had tremendous parody.

Boston Red Sox
Coming out of the All-Star break, the Boston Red Sox have 13 players on the disabled list. This comes to be a shock considering they’re only 5 ½ games out of first place. With Terry Francona’s managing arguably the best he ever has with the Red Sox. The Red Sox currently have the MLB League Lead in RBIs with (464) and are still within the top 5 in other overall batting categories like bating average (.275 / ranking 4th), home runs (120 / ranked 2nd), and hits (851 / ranking 3rd). The team is looking as if they are just trying to hold on until players return from injury. With the MLB’s top teams in The New York Yankees and The Tampa Bay Rays playing the their same division things can get a little out of hand quick. So what can help the bean town faithful look forward to soon in these hard times? “Josh Beckett.”
Reports say that Josh Beckett feels 100 percent after suffering a lower back strain leaving him out on the DL since May 19th. “It’s as good as I’ve felt in six to eight weeks,” Beckett said. “To come in the day after I pitch and know I can play catch and not have to worry about limitations.”

Even though Beckett feels great, is he truly ready to once again face Major League Hitters? Terry Francona sees the big picture with his ace caliber pitcher, and is trying to make the smart choices down the stretch. “If he’s ready to come back and pitch for us, he will, if he’s not, we’ll let him have another one. The plan is to have him throw 85 pitches [Saturday] and if all goes terrific, he can come back and take his slot with us. If we all feel like he needs another [rehab] then he’ll do that.” With his rehab, Beckett ultimately describes the process as more of a spring training preparation than a rehab comeback.

Regardless, the Sox could use their old ace back considering the rotation is wearing thin. Clay Buchholz was injured with a lower left hamstring strain (listed on the 15-day DL). And Tim Wakefield got rocked on Thursday giving up 7 run (6 of the earned) on 8 hits in only 2 innings against the American League West Division Leading Texas Rangers.
Red Sox are slated to play the Rangers again tonight at 7: 10pm ET @ Fenway Park
(Probable Starting Pitchers: Red Sox- Felix Doubront (1-1 rec. / 4.22 ERA) VS. Rangers- Colby Lewis (8-5 rec. / 3.33ERA)

Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have seen a fall from grace and seen the emergence of a new NL East Power in the Atlanta Braves. Since the Philadelphia were last in first place on May 30th, the Braves and the Mets have both out played the two-time back-to-back Nation League Pennant Champs. Consider this, the Braves had a (45-45) record one year ago today compared to the (53-37) record they have now in 2010. The same can be said for the Mets who now have a record of (48-41) compared to the (42-46) record they had in 2009.

In a nutshell the Phillies have suffered 3 major injuries that might have just taken the fighting out of “Fighting Phils.” Chase Utley, Placido Polanco, and Carlos Ruiz are those injured players that bring so much to the table.

In his carrier, Chase Utley is a .294 hitter who knocks 105 RBIs a year. In 2010, the Phillies 2nd baseman is only projected to only compile a .277 batting average with 75 RBIs. The 15-day disabled list is where Utley has been lately, with a strained ligament in his right thumb preventing him to play. Good news though is that, Utley had his caste removed yesterday now allowing team doctors and coaches to create what is expected to be a 6 to 8 week timetable for his to return. At that pace, Utley would return to big league action come mid-august. The question, can the team wait that long?

Team batting average leader Placido Polanco is in a position where he could return to the lineup on Saturday. Coming off an elbow injury, Polanco who is a carrier .304 hitter is batting .318 in 62 games this season. In a resent rehab start in the Gulf Coast League, Polanco went 1 for 3 with one double and 2 RBIs. This comes as a good sign that the 34 year old can still hit and handle any discomfort that maybe present in his elbow. But take into consideration that with his elbow injury, he will still need surgery come the off-season. In reality, the teams 3rd baseman will be playing under 100 percent for the next two months once he gets back into the lineup.

Coming off of agreeing to a three-year contract in January. Carlos Ruiz is now returning15-day disabled list with a concussion. He was expected to be activated yesterday [Saturday] against the Cubs and be slotted into the lineup. After two nights of big league action, Ruiz went 1 for 7 with 1 strikeout. Ruiz, who is a stead presence behind the plate, will need to add continue that stability by throwing out runners like he did in 2009 throwing out 27.4 percent.

The importance of the upcoming stretch for the Phillies is the fact that they have match-ups with good teams over the next week. The Phillies will play their current series against the Chicago Cubs for the final two games, go on to play the (49-41) St. Luis Cardinals at Busch Stadium for a 4 games series, and finally face the (49-40) Colorado Rockies at home [Citizens bank Park] in a four game match-up with NL East standings on the line.

The Phillies should start to put the pedal to the medal considering Atlanta Braves could lose a few games against the San Diego Padres and the Mets will be playing teams like the San Francisco Giants, LA Dodgers, and the St. Luis Cardinals. If the Fighting Phils ever wanted to make a move, it should be now.

Toe the Line Wednesdays (Week 1)

Since the 1982 birth of the Westchester Summer Twilight Track & Field Series, the program has only canceled two of its weekly Tuesday meets in its history. So on Tuesday, July 6th that mark would be challenged when the track & field series opened for its 2010 summer season in a blistering 100-degree heat. But from little 3-year old racing beginners to your longtime running warriors, the stage was set for a great start to a yearly running tradition. Longtime Meet Coordinators Marcia Bailey (track coach of Hendrick Hudson HS), Keith Smith (track coach of Yorktown HS), and Roy Arneson (track coach of Somers HS) have run the meet together since 1987. During that time they have brought a long standing family and running veteran turnout crowd that continues to come every Tuesday night.

The meet’s first event was underway at (4: 30pm at Hendrick Hudson High School) where the youth events, (ages 14 and under), competed. The 1600meter run was canceled for the young kids events due to heat. But even with the elimination, it soon became a winning family affair, as sisters Lily and Emily were both able to take 1^st place in their 55meter dash age brackets. Lily running in the (ages 6-7 section) with a time of (11.3 sec), and older sister Emily in the (ages 10- 11 section) cruised to a time of (8.7 sec). When asked about competing and getting a good outcome, both girls happily smiled and said, “It was exciting even though the heat was hot.”

The Westchester Striders track club might have added to that heat on the track by putting on a talented showing. Considering the team will be sending 6 children to compete at Nationals in Virginia, the team took a clean 1-2-3 sweep in the boy’s 400meter dash. The first place winner in the combined heat was Sheldon Davis in the (ages 10- 11section) with a time of (64.4 sec). Sheldon Davis added to his win by coming back to run (29.3sec) in 200meters, just edging out teammate Veral Shah by two tenths of a second. Veral Shah won the Long Jump in the (12- 14 section) with a jump of (14ft- 1in). The girl’s winner in the Long Jump was Elisa Weir who jumped 12ft- 10in for her Wings track club squad. The girl’s winners in the 400meters, 200meters, and 100meter dashes were also members of the Westchester Striders track club. Chelsea Ogindo won the Girl’s 400meter dash with a time of (63. 6sec) in her (ages 12- 14 section). Fellow teammate Shenece Davis finishing first in the Girls 200meter and 100meter dash with a time of (28.7 sec) in the 200meters and (14. 8sec) in the 100meters.

On hand Tuesday night were supportive parents like Sage Shah who explained why she brings her kids every week to compete. “They love it, the kids love running. It keeps them out of trouble. An event like this teaches about character, and shows your dedication even in times when you don’t anticipate things in life.” Shah went on further to describe the atmosphere at the event saying, “You should see all the kids rooting for each other. It really feels like a family.”

The family oriented crowd carried that spirit over into the (6: 30 adult start) where racers like Brie Roller looked to get back into form. Coming off a hampered hamstring during spring season, Roller won the Girls 400meters dash with a time of (58. 3). She will look to surpass her personal best of (54sec) in the 400meter dash this summer. Rich Meyer took the men’s 400meter crown with a time of (57. 3sec). Another good performance came from Herbert Okuti winning both the 1mile (5:00.9sec) and the 800meters (2:25sec). When asked about his goal coming into the race Okuti said, “I just wanted to come here and have a nice workout. This is a good environment, I would wish to come back again and race competitively.”  Herbert Okuti has run times in the low 4minete ranges in the 1600meter run. Look to see him continue his fast work as he trains with Coach Mike Barnow and the Westchester Track Club. Another member of the Westchester Track Club that raced well was Kristina Kates. Kates won the women’s 800meter run with a time of (2:25.3). Kates will also look to come off of injury after suffering a stress fracture foot injury. When asked about the heat and her performance Kates said, “You defiantly have to be hydrate to go out there and run a fast half mile. But I’m trying to run around (2: 15) by the end of the 6-week series. So we will have to see.”

To close a night that marked another start to a great Westchester tradition. 59-year-old Bob Pertak, a competitor at the meet since 1978, commented on what makes the meet so special. “What makes this event so great is that you can have all sorts of people run. You don’t have to be the best of the best. It is also good for the younger kids, giving them their first taste of the sport and for guys like me getting one last chance get on the track and see what we can do.”

The first three weeks of the Westchester Summer Twilight Track & Field Series will take place at Hendrick Hudson High School on dates July 6th, July 13th, and July 20th. With the final three weeks of the 6 weeks series concluding at Somers High School on dates July 27th, August 3rd, and August 10th (All dates are on Tuesdays). First gun will be set to go off at 4: 30pm for kids events, followed by the adult races slated to begin at 6: 30pm. Entry fees are $5 per event or $6 for unlimited events. This makes a great event to support a healthy and fit life style and get any person on track.

Prelude: Hitting the Track ( Weekly Updates)

For those who have followed "The Storm Report" thus far, we bring you something special. Starting next week, every Wednesday will be "Toe this Line Wednesdays" where we will bring you coverage of the Westchester Summer Twilight Track & Field Series. You will find winning race times, interview write ups, and photos of the best running talent that Westchester County has to offer.

With the Westchester Summer Twilight Track & Field Series, the first three week will take place at Hendrick Hudson High School on dates July 6th, July 13th, and July 20th. The final three weeks of the 6 week series will conclude at Somers High School on dates July 27th, August 3rd, and August 10th (All dates are on Tuesdays). First gun will be set to go off at 4: 30pm for kids events, followed by the adult races slated to go off at 6: 30pm. (Be sure to check the official information form below to see schedule of events.)

Entry fees for the Westchester Summer Twilight Track & Field Series are $5 per event or $6 for unlimited events. This makes a great event to get out into the community and support healthy and fit life style.

If any participants have a story of reaching on the joy of running or of reaching a Personal Best (PR). Be sure to reach out to us here at the Storm Report. "Your stories make it happen."
(Note: Some material will be used in the weekly North County News.)

(Click Here to See Official Information)

Hope to see you all at Hendrick Hudson High School on July 6th for a night of great fun and high octane running.
-Mike Rossillo
(editor and chief of "The Storm Report.")

Contact Info:
 email: BoSox24@optonline.net

When Kingdom Come

At 12:01 am Thursday morning, it became official. Some just call it another day of summer, some call it the start of Christmas in July, but there are those select few who call it “The Start of NBA Free Agency.” Entering this year’s 2010 free agency market, the loud noise of ringing phones could be heard Thursday morning. As team GM and Executives made a mad dash to start contract negotiations with the most talented class of free agents the NBA has ever seen.

But even with the moment upon us, there is still, what is being described as, a large amount of uncertainty with one individual player. Similar to a child not knowing what they are going to find in their gift box come Christmas morning. It is also a mystery as to where the most coveted player and talented player in this year’s free agent market, LeBron James, will end up.

Teams like the: Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, and New York Knicks are all prime organization looking to land LeBron James. It is because these teams have dropped so much salary cap space that they will now be able to sign multiple big name free agents and create a possible wining team.

But don't think LeBron is the only big name play out on the market. He is just one of the many high value players like: Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, Joe Johnson, Ray Allen, and more that are all looking to get signed. Never has a free agency period seen this much talent for the taking. A radical outcome could ultimately change the NBA for years to come. Players all going to new teams with a power shift taking place right before our eyes.

Because of this opportunity for a major shift in dominate basketball power; a major issue has come into play for LeBron James. What is more important? “Winning or salary and the attention.” It is this simple, but difficult, question that forces LeBron to possibly look beyond the person who is writing the biggest check, and see the team that instead has the better winning team to offer.

To many, it would be considered the best move for LeBron James to take a deal with the Chicago Bulls. The simple reason being that he would be able to play with a young nucleus of players like super-stars Derek Rose and Joakim Noah. This would give James a chance to get his payday and win in the process. But on the other hand, there are those who say that if LeBron were to go to the Bulls, it would hurt his ultimate legacy.

A move to Chicago would lessen LeBron James’s legacy due to the fact that Michael Jordan will always be the man in Chicago. If James would want to become the big icon of basketball around the world. How could he do that if Jordan would outnumber him in NBA Championships with 6? For James to reach to reach that all-time stadium status, and become the all-face of the Bulls Franchise, he would have to win 7 Championships. Could that really happen?

On the flip side, what if LeBron went to Miami? There have been talks about the possibility of top free agents LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all going to play for the Miami Heat next year. The Heat have cleared enough room to make that possible. Never under estimate the influence of a person like Pat Riley who lurks in the up stars front office. He has his ways to make things happen.

 But could three big name players really play on the same team? There were reports that the three meet this week to discus the chances of them playing together. But it was later reported that Chris Bosh thought it the idea of them all playing together was pie in the sky, and did not see it happening. With comments like that, it does not really sound like an All-Star team get-together in Miami would actually come to be. But let’s be real, you never know?

And the final two teams that experts believe are in on the LeBron James sweepstakes are the New Jersey Nets and the New York Knicks. Both teams have an interesting situation at hand that could get them the King James.

The Nets are lucky because, to some extent, they appear to have the closest thing to George Steinbrenner in a owner in "Mikhail Prokhorov." This man wants to win, and is willing to spend money to get there. LeBron has to like what he sees in a owner like Prokhorov, and must want to play for a owner who wants to win just as bad as he does. The only thing that holds Nets is the reality that they are missing pieces to a winning team. they could sign another player on the market that is not as expensive. And remember, they have Devin Harris. But then again, there must be a reason the Nets were the worst team in the NBA last year.

And then there were the New York Knicks. In a nutshell, they stink and the fans have been dying for a good team at the Garden. But the Knicks have the chance to turn their losing ways around. They have to do these two things. (1) The Knicks front office will have to eloquently explain to LeBron that they have the money to sign LeBron and another top player. (2)They will also have to explain that they have the power next year to sign another player, like a Carmelo Anthony, who could make their team even better. With bad contracts and money coming off the books each year. The Knicks will have the power to show that to some extent, they can go out and still make improvements once LeBron were to sign with the Knicks. A move to the New York Knicks would be trying to build a team back up and making a winning team out of a losing one. But the great city and media hub that is New York would bring great reward if he were to do well in New your City. We will have to see if the New York City lights are bright enough to wow LeBron James.

At the end of the day LeBron still has to ask him self another question, “Does he want to leave the Cleveland Caveliers?” There are rumors out that he feel emotionally connected to the city of Cleveland.. Apparently it would mean the most to him to win with the Caveliers. The lets be real, it would ultimate truth is that it would be the best for his legacy if he won with the Cleveland Caveliers. But in the end, LeBron has done everything he can to help this team win. The Cavilers don’t have the pieces like the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls have to be at that championship level. But maybe in the end, the home fans and home cooking will be to great to with stand and he will come on home.

So the ball is on LeBron’s court. The teams are coming at him with offers, and until he wins himself a NBA championship, “his kingdom come will not be done.”

The Crowning of a King, The Farwell to a Castle

In the parks final year, Rosenblatt Stadium came into Tuesday night hosting the Division 1 College World Series for the final time since it started hosting the event in 1950. But before college baseball could head off to its new home for next years 2011 College World Series in TD Ameritrade Park. There was one final series to be played, and let it be known that the baseball gods were defiantly watching.

This years match up, the (54 – 16) North Carolina Gamecocks against the (51 – 17) UCLA Bruins. And if history could serve as a preview, the UCLA Bruins came into this College World Series having won 106 National Titles in their schools history.

The UCLA Bruins opponent of the other side of the diamond was the North Carolina Gamecocks, who entered play having only won one single National Championship in their school’s history. That championship coming in 2002 from an Out Door Girls Track championship, led by head coach Curtis Frye. Not a championship coming from a high profile coach you would expect like football icon like Steve Spurier.

UCLA sent out their starting pitcher Rob Rasmussen who went 6 strong innings. Only allowing 6 hits, 4 walks, and setting down batters with 5 strikeouts as he tried to help his team hold off elimination. With a possible Game 3 on the line, South Carolina who had already won the previous game in a (7 – 1) victory, sent out their starter Michael Roth who went 5 innings. He allowed 6 hits, gave up one earned run, and left his team in it on the brink of their 2nd ever National Championship. But first they had some catching up to do down (1 – 0) in the 6th inning.

Fast forward to the 8th inning now, where an error on UCLA first basemen Dean Espy, a ground ball hitting off his glove, allows Bobby Haney to reach safely and have Robert Beary score the game tying run. Making the game (1 – 1).

Move to the bottom of the 11th inning where a sold out crowd is on the edge of their seats. Right Fielder Whit Merrifield at the plate. He hits a opposite field single along the right field line, bringing home Scott Wingo and the wining run to make the South Carolina Gamecocks the 2010 College World Series Champions.

This for sure was a game and a College World Series run for the ages. But take into account that this was the fifth College World Series Championship decided in extra innings. The last time since 1970 when South California beat Florida State in a 15 inning epic, with narrow score of (2 – 1).

South Carolina at the end of the day showed their true colors. They were able to comeback after losing their first game in the 2010 College World Series. And win all their remaining games to take the College Baseball Crown.

With all the emotion on the field Tuesday night, you can’t help but imagine the baseball gods were looking down on this game Tuesday night. Smile on down on some of baseball future stars, and especially Rosenblatt Stadium for one last time.