Olympic break

Trying to get into the Olympics. It's not easy because I don't have the primary NBC station on my satellite. I've missed all of glamour events, swimming and gymnastics, but I'm getting a lot of the soccer, equestrian and tennis. Honestly, I don't really care about the tennis. I want to discover new athletes. So far, other than the American judo lady who won bronze, it's been disappointing. Where's Mariel Zagunis? How am I missing the women's indoor volleyball? I'd like to see the hot shot table tennis player. Oh well, there's always next year for the Olympics. Oh, wait. Anyway, I finally sold an ebook. Thanks to whoever bought them. Even if you don't read them, I appreciate the support. To be honest, I'm surprised it took this long to get anyone to fork out $2.99. Quite the eye-opener, I must admit. Football practice began so I guess that officially means my summer slow season is over. It's hot as hell out there, by the way. Thanks to everyone for their birthday thoughts on Facebook. I tried to hit the "like" button to all of them but, for some reason, I think I messed it up. So, if you said something nice and didn't get a "like" hit on it, I meant to. What else? Oh, I'm not going to waste a lot of time talking about Penn State. I just thought it was eerie how fans were actually worshipping the Joe Paterno statue. It looked like a scene from the Bible. Glad that thing was taken down. Penn State is lucky the NCAA handed out its punishment and not me. Talked to former El Dorado quarterback Taylor Reed at practice yesterday. He said a couple Arkansas freshman receivers might have to play right away since the suspensions and/or dismissals. He also told me Byran Jones is looking studly on the defensive line. Working on a new book, as if anyone actually cared. I'm liking it so far, although I'm currently at a hard spot I'm trying to work through. Look for it on Smashwords or Barnes & Noble in the not-too-distant future. No title, yet.

Best female athlete ever?

Is Serena Williams the greatest female athlete of all the times? It's a question that's being asked these days as she goes for, yet another, Wimbledon singles championship. Serena is most certainly in the discussion. She's as dominant in her sport as anyone else is in their's, including Tiger Woods and Federer, Michael Jordan, etc. But, the greatest of all the times? It's amazing what short memories we have these days. There have been some incredible women athletes over the years. And, no, I won't insult women by including a freaking horse like ESPN did several years ago. I still can't believe women didn't boycott ESPN or burn down Bristol for that crap. But, let me present 12 women athletes who changed the game and are also in the discussion for top female competitors and athletes ever. Since none of the people reading this consider anyone born outside the United States relevent, I'll keep my list to American-born female athletes. Okay, Rick? My list includes: Mickey Wright, the greatest female golfer of all the times. Wright won 82 LPGA titles and 13 grand slams. She helped put women's golf on the map. Have you heard of Mary T. Meagher? The original Madam Butterfly won gold in the 100 and 200 butterfly in the 1984 Olympics and would've won in 1980 if not for the boycott. Meagher's world records in the two events are considered two of the most astonishing records ever in any sport. Both records stood for nearly two decades. Joan Benoit won the first-ever Olympic women's marathon in 1984. She still holds the record for fastest times in the Olympics and Chicago Marathons. Her record in the Boston Marathon lasted for 28 years. Figure skating is a sport and Dorothy Hamill introduced it to a lot of Americans in 1976, when she won Olympic Gold. Hamill is still one of the most popular female athletes ever. She has a move named for her (Hamill camel), has a haircut named for her and had her own doll. She also was a reason a lot of young girls put on ice skates for the first time. In the same category is Mia Hamm, who did for soccer what Hamill did for figure skating in this country. Hamm has scored more goals in international competition than any other male or female soccer player. She has two Olympic gold medals and won two World Cups. Mary Lou Retton was the first female born outside of Eastern Europe to win All-Around in the Olympics. In 1984, she won individual gold, team gold and individual silver and bronze medals. Nearly 30 years later, Mary Lou Retton is still the first name is women's gymnastics in this country. Wilma Rudolph was the fastest woman on earth in 1960, winning gold in the 100 and 200 at the Olympics. Her story of overcoming polio is the stuff movies have been made about. She's also considered a pioneer for both civil rights and women's rights. If you've never heard of Althea Gibson, all she did was win five tennis grand slam championships and also compete on the LPGA. Now, it's starting to get tricky as the cream is about to rise. Female athletes are still benefitting from the efforts of Billie Jean King. She's famous for beating Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes in 1973. But, she's one of the top female tennis players ever, winning 12 grand slam championships. But, yeah, her biggest contribution is in the advancement of sexual equality in sports. Perhaps my favorite was Florence Griffith-Joyner. She's still the fastest woman of all the times. She broke the world record in both the 100 and 200 in 1984. No one has come close to equaling those performances since. I discovered her when she was just Florence Griffith. I noticed her because of her looks. A stunning woman, she was finishing third and fourth in most of the races. I was stunned when she suddenly looked muscular and, almost manly. She went from third place to world champion in a span of a few months. I must admit, I don't know what to think about it. A lot of people consider Jackie Joyner-Kersee the top female athlete. It's hard to argue. She was Olympic and world champion in the heptathlon in 1988 and 1992. She won silver in 1984. She also won gold in the long jump in 1988 and bronze in the long jump in 1992 and 1996. Doing the math, that's more than a decade as a world class athlete. Don't forget, she was also one of the top 15 best basketball players ever at UCLA. And, finally, Babe Zaharias. I understand 1932 was a long time ago but this woman was ahead of her time. In her own way, she paved the way for female athletes by taking a lot of heat from men who suggested she was too manly and should pretty herself up and wait for a man to ask her out. Instead, she won Olympic gold in the 80-meter hurdles and javenlin in 1932 and silver in the high jump. She also won 41 titles on the LPGA tour. She was also an All-American in basketball and played organized baseball and softball. Reportedly, she was also an expert diver, roller skater and bowler. I'll just throw these names out there for your consideration when discussing top female athletes ever. I know Serena is a really good tennis player. I'm just saying. By the way, next time I do this list, Brittney Griner's name might be on it.

No love for C-Lowe

I gave the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette a quick glance Sunday just to make sure Junction City's Courtney Lowe was not named the paper's Softball Player of the Year. Oh, she's good enough to be considered. She led the Lady Dragons to three state championship games and was MVP of the 2A State Tournament this year after winning it all. But, I didn't think she'd get it just because of where she plays. I'll just leave it at that. Well, my quick glance turned into a 15-minute study period. The Democrat-Gazette named 25 players from around the state, plus a Player of the Year. I swear, I went over the list four times and never did Courtney Lowe's name cross my eyes. What the ...? It's baffling to me how this continues to happen over and over and over and ... If you don't give enough of a damn to do something right, stop doing it. They didn't offer statistics for the 25 members of the All-Arkansas Team. The paper's Miss Softball, a young lady from Bryant named Peyton Jenkins, had an impressive 32-0 pitching record with 260 strikeouts. She batted .477 with six home runs. She signed to play at Central Baptist College in Conway. I can't argue with her selection. I wouldn't say negative things about any of the athletes chosen. That ain't my style. I will only note Courtney Lowe's numbers: an 18-3 pitching record with 246 strikeouts. She batted .532 with six homers, led her team to a state championship and signed to play Division I softball at Louisiana Tech. You can argue about her winning Miss Softball. You can't argue about her being one of the 25 best players. I watched the 2A State Tournament. She was by far the best player there. I told someone, it was like watching James Anderson in basketball several years ago in Danville. James was clearly the best in the tournament. Courtney was just as dominant. Yet, two other girls from Class 2A were named ahead of her? Come on, now. Be serious. I know C-Lowe probably could give two rips about this. She's busy getting ready for her college career. And, it doesn't matter what I say. Kids from this part of the state will ALWAYS be overlooked for this kind of recognition. It, literally, happens every single year. It shouldn't. The News-Times sports staff is a phone call away. If you care at all, you'll make a call and ask if there are any local athletes to be considered. We have stats and everything and would be more than happy to share them with anyone who has an interest in Union County student-athletes. It's just a shame kids down here will NEVER be recognized. I'm assuming it's because of their location. Maybe I'm wrong. It just bothers me the heck out of me.