Month: June 2024

Portland’s podium rebound doesn’t stop Evans seething

Mitch Evans is still seething from his Saturday penalty, despite finishing on the podium in the second race of the Portland E-Prix and closing the gap to the championship lead to just 12 points. Evans won on the road on Saturday but was hit with a …

Mitch Evans is still seething from his Saturday penalty, despite finishing on the podium in the second race of the Portland E-Prix and closing the gap to the championship lead to just 12 points.

Evans won on the road on Saturday but was hit with a 5s penalty for contact with NEOM McLaren’s Jake Hughes. His Jaguar TCS Racing team requested a review of the incident, but that was quickly thrown out. Evans then went on to finish third in Sunday’s race, but despite ending the weekend on a positive note, the events of the first race were still lingering.

“I’m still frustrated,” he said on Sunday evening. “Honestly, I think the decision yesterday was a bit of a disgrace, the end decision and doing it in the race. That one really hurts and I’m really [angry] about it to be honest. Really not happy about that; overnight, that’s not going to disappear.

“With that result I’d be leading the championship right now, so I hope the guys in that room up there realize that. I’ve made it very obvious that I’m not happy and I think we need to maybe internally discuss some of the processes that need to be done in the future, and the consistency I think is becoming really inconsistent, consistently, ironically. I’ll try and leave it there because the frustration’s still very much in my blood.”

Sunday’s result was a decent one – Evans’ third place is his fourth podium of the year and brings him within touching distance of teammate Nick Cassidy in the championship fight – but despite that, he still felt that he had more to give.

“Today I was hoping for a slightly better qualifying. Qualifying 11th wasn’t part of the plan after being quick all weekend, and it was really difficult to make progress in the race. I was hoping to get to the front earlier but I just couldn’t.

“[I] left my Attack late, which wasn’t really part of the plan, but I just couldn’t really get in the position to take it, had to really get my elbows out throughout the race. It was a tricky one, and doing the Attack so late really cooked my energy. I had a small advantage throughout the race and that disappeared and I just had to survive the last few laps to get home.”

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While Cassidy is now firmly in his crosshairs, Evans admitted, “I really feel for Nick as well,” and despite the brewing title rivalry between both, he knows defeating TAG Heuer Porsche in the Teams’ championship and beating the German manufacturer in the Manufacturers’ Trophy remain his team’s main goals as the series heads to London for the final two races of the season.

“A huge focus for us is to beat Porsche and it’s going to be a really big fight, and hopefully Antonio (Felix da Costa) stops winning so it gives us a bit of a chance, but it’s going to be a good fight,” he said. “We were quick there last year. It should be a track that suits our car, but we know that the Porsche, they’ve got a really strong package, and [da Costa] and Pascal (Wehrlein) are really performing well, so it’s going to be a big fight.”

There has been tension between Evans and Cassidy at points over the season, but Evans insisted that there will be respect between the two as they look to take the title for Jaguar.

“It will be what will be,” he said. “Whoever does a better job will come out on top. [I] just hope for a really clean fight and…looking forward to it.

“Me and him know, we’ve got so much respect for each other. Nick has had such a great season,” he added. “Maybe it’s going to be a conversation that we’ll have, or will have to have or not, but I think we understand what’s at stake and he’s the last person that I want to fight too hard with as well.

“It’s not going to be easy if we get to that situation, but it’s a situation that we may be in. It’s a good problem to have, having both drivers fighting for the championship, but we’re going to have to manage it as much as we can and hopefully either him or myself come out on top. That’ll be amazing.”

Former Farragut infielder transfers within SEC

Former Farragut and Texas A&M infielder transfers within the SEC.

The college baseball season ended on Monday with Tennessee defeating Texas A&M in the College World Series Finals.

Since the contest, Texas A&M utility player Jett Johnston entered the NCAA transfer portal. He announced his commitment to Auburn on Sunday.

“New beginnings,” Johnston said. “Blessed, excited and ready to get to work!! Fired up to be an Auburn Tiger.”

Johnston went to Texas A&M from Farragut High School in Farragut, Tennessee.

Johnston was a starting third baseman when Farragut won consecutive state titles in Tennessee from 2022-23. He appeared in 13 games, including three starts, as a freshman in 2024 at Texas A&M, recording two RBIs and five runs.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Diana Taurasi classily heaped so much praise on Caitlin Clark after Fever-Mercury

Pure class from Diana Taurasi.

So much has been made about Diana Taurasi’s comments about Caitlin Clark, when it’s just always seemed like the veteran Mercury guard was simply the legend’s competitiveness coming out with Clark coming to the WNBA.

The two faced off on Sunday with Clark’s Indiana Fever emerging victorious over Phoenix, which included the two hugging before the game and some social media trolling after.

But there was Taurasi praising the heck out of Clark while speaking with reporters about the work that the rookie has put in, despite all the pressure and all the improvement she’s seen.

Check it out:

 

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Frijns makes breakthrough with Envision as he races for his future

Robin Frijns left Portland with a smile on his face after securing back-to-back podiums, ending a barren run for he and the Envision Racing team. The two-time race winner returned to Envision Racing this season after a year with Abt Cupra, but aside …

Robin Frijns left Portland with a smile on his face after securing back-to-back podiums, ending a barren run for he and the Envision Racing team.

The two-time race winner returned to Envision Racing this season after a year with Abt Cupra, but aside from a second place in the third round of the season in Diriyah, it’s been a challenging campaign for the Dutchman.

“Yesterday was a bit, I wouldn’t say ‘a relief,’ but it showed that we can still do it and today we showed it again, so it gives a better feeling,” he said on Sunday after finishing second behind Antonio Felix da Costa for the second consecutive day. “The team did a good job, we prepared well for these races and we made a huge step forward as we showed with the double podium.”

Despite the breakthrough weekend in Portland, Frijns doesn’t think the his and the team’s turnaround has been circuit-specific, instead crediting a wholesale change in the Jaguar customer team’s overall approach to events, and avoiding bad luck.

“It’s hard to say because we always had the pace during the season and we’re always quick, or quickish in practice … but I was always at the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said. “Looking at other drivers, both Jags were always in front so we changed the way we approached the race and the team’s helping me a lot with this now.

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“I sat down with them before Shanghai and we do understand it way better and it’s come our way now because I think we’ve put ourselves in a better position all the time.”

Frijns’ podiums come at a crucial time as speculation regarding his future is a paddock hot topic. Frijns only has a one year deal with Envision, and he knows he’s racing for his future now.

“I’m trying to prove a point, for sure,” he admitted. “It’s not nice seeing those rumors but I came back to Envision from Abt last year to be successful, but coming for one year, that’s been clear.

“It’s been a struggle and I do think we were not really prepared for some occasions at some races, which we have [been] today, but we learn from it and I think we showed this weekend that we can be competitive.”

Lakers have been talking to the Blazers about a Jerami Grant trade

The Lakers are reportedly in talks with the Blazers to pull off what would be a significant trade for forward Jerami Grant.

A couple of hours into NBA free agency on Sunday, the only move the Los Angeles Lakers had made was to re-sign guard Max Christie to a four-year, $32 million contract. Christie is one of their most promising young players, but it is clear they will need more than improvement from him to become championship contenders again.

With Jonas Valančiūnas, Chris Paul and James Harden off the board, the outside free agent options for the Lakers are slim. Therefore, they will, in all likelihood, have to pull off at least one significant trade in order to return to the league’s elite ranks.

According to insider Anthony Irwin, the team is engaged in talks with the Portland Trail Blazers in an attempt to land forward Jerami Grant (h/t The Cold Wire).

Grant would be quite a big get for Los Angeles. He averaged 21.0 points a game while shooting 40.2% from 3-point range during the 2023-24 season. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound frontcourt player has ample athleticism, and his defense isn’t too shabby either.

He is under contract for four more seasons, and he will make about $29.8 million during the 2024-25 campaign.

Sooners trending for elite safety Omarion Robinson with commitment day looming

Oklahoma trending for safety Omarion Robinson with decision coming next week.

The safety position has grown so much in just a few years since Brent Venables took the reins of the Oklahoma football program. They landed a five-star safety for the first time in a decade or more when they locked down [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag].

Billy Bowman is already a bonafide star at the position, and if you asked anyone to rank the five best players on the Oklahoma roster, he would be named every time.

That brings us to the future of the position in Norman. Bowen’s future is still bright, but Billy Bowman is a senior and will depart Norman for the NFL following this season. Former four-star prospect [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] will have a lot more responsibility this coming season. The 2024 recruiting class brought in a group of talented blue-chip safeties in [autotag]Michael Boganowski[/autotag], [autotag]Jaydan Hardy[/autotag], [autotag]Mykel Patterson-McDonald[/autotag], and [autotag]Reggie Powers[/autotag]. The [autotag]2025 recruiting class[/autotag] currently has three-star safety out of Arkansas, [autotag]Marcus Wimberly[/autotag]. Could it bring another safety from the Natural State?

247Sports composite four-star safety Omarion Robinson is set to announce his decision on July 6, and Oklahoma is duking it out with Arkansas, LSU, and Oregon for his services.

Robinson is a hyper-competitive defender who can disrupt the passing game. He plays great coverage and has the athletic range to be a ballhawk in the middle of the field. His footwork is top-notch, and he’s unafraid of coming downhill to make run fits. He recently won defensive back MVP at the Rivals 5-star challenge.

 

Oklahoma has been steady in this race for some time, and after June’s official visits, the time for a commitment is nearing.

On Sunday afternoon, Chad Simmons of On3 predicted Robinson to land with the Sooners.

The prediction is an eye-opener, with the commitment just days away. Safeties coach [autotag]Brandon Hall[/autotag] is no stranger to closing out recruitments. It would be foolish to write off his ability to close on another bonafide blue-chip prospect.

With less than a week to his commitment, the Sooners are in a prime spot to continue adding to their already sixth-ranked 2025 recruiting class.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Will Matt Turner start USMNT’s do-or-die match against Uruguay?

The USMNT goalkeeper suffered a leg injury in last week’s loss to Panama

Matt Turner’s status appears to be very much unknown ahead of the U.S. men’s national team’s crucial match against Uruguay on Monday night.

The USMNT will face La Celeste with its Copa América fate hanging in the balance. Gregg Berhalter’s team likely needs a win to avoid elimination, but even three points won’t guarantee a spot in the quarterfinal.

Having starting goalkeeper Turner healthy for the match in Kansas City would be a major boost. But in his pre-game press conference on Sunday, Berhalter said his team’s No. 1 hasn’t been a full participant in training.

“Matt did limited training yesterday and then limited training again today,” said Berhalter. “We will continue to monitor him to see his status.”

Turner suffered a leg injury in the USMNT’s 2-1 defeat to Panama on Thursday night.

The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper took a heavy blow from Panama midfielder César Blackman 11 minutes into the game. As Turner went up to claim an aerial ball, Blackman collided with with Turner’s leg and the goalkeeper landed hard on his shoulder.

Turner managed to stay in the game for the next 35 minutes, but was replaced at the break by Ethan Horvath.

Horvath would go on to concede Panama’s late winner, as the 10-man USMNT was unable to hold on for what would have been a vital point.

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Polar shift in da Costa’s fortune is keeping his internal fire lit

Three wins in a row, four from the last five races – it’s quite the contrast for Antonio Felix da Costa who spent the first part of the year struggling for form. After inheriting Saturday’s race victory from a penalized Mitch Evans, the TAG Heuer …

Three wins in a row, four from the last five races – it’s quite the contrast for Antonio Felix da Costa who spent the first part of the year struggling for form.

After inheriting Saturday’s race victory from a penalized Mitch Evans, the TAG Heuer Porsche driver managed a chaotic Sunday race perfectly to win on the road ahead of Robin Frijns and Evans. He’s now firmly in championship contention with two rounds to go, but despite being Formula E’s flavor of the month, he’s not taking anything for granted.

“When I won yesterday it was already impressive in a good way, but these moments don’t last forever,” he said. “I think all three of us (on the podium) have gone through incredible runs of races and we’ve gone through slumps, so I’ll just make sure to enjoy it and never take it for granted, appreciate it. It could be the last podium of my life, we never know. Hopefully not.

“The truth is we’re navigating through these races really, really well, the car is quick and we’re doing it in a smart way – I’m having fun doing them and navigating through these races with my team. [It’s an] impressive run of races, I’m not going to deny it, and considering where we started the season, if you told me four or five months ago that I would have won four or five races this year I would not have believed you. It feels good.”

His tear in the latter part of the season followed a disqualification at Misano that denied da Costa his first win of the year. It would be easy to buy into the theory that the stripped victory has fuelled him since then, but it’s not something he’s buying into himself – at least not wittingly.

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“I hope not, because I don’t ever want to go through a slump like that ever again,” he said. “It’s one thing to be in the middle of the pack, but we were really slow, so that was a serious problem in the beginning of the year.

“Hopefully that’s not… I don’t think when I’m angry I go better, but I will evaluate it, and if that’s the case, then we have a problem, because I’ve got to get angry a lot.”

One motivating factor, however, could be putting himself in motorsport’s shop window. He was denied a shot at the World Endurance Championship this season after driving for Porsche customer Hertz Team Jota last year, and it’s no secret da Costa yearns to be back there in addition to racing in Formula E.

“Obviously that’s the goal for me. I’ve never denied it that I want to be doing the WEC as well,” he said. “I love racing, and if I could race every weekend, I would.

“Last weekend I was racing in Brazilian Porsche Cup – they came to my hometown race and my hometown track and I got permission to do that race and that’s just the way I like to go.

“For now, I’m getting married at the end of the year, maybe some kids hopefully if everything goes well very soon, and maybe that will all change, but as I’m still fit, quick and youngish, I really want to take the opportunity to race as many cars as I can.

“There’s a few of us here that like to do that. It doesn’t make me better, it doesn’t make me worse, it’s just what I want to do and that’s the goal…”

Reminder: Ohio State football’s top in-state edge rusher target Justin Hill commits on Wednesday

A BOOM! could be happening on Wednesday

There might be some fireworks for Ohio State football a bit early this year as the 4th of July approaches.

In-state edge rusher [autotag]Justin Hill[/autotag] will make his commitment a day before Independence Day, as he will choose from three Big Ten schools (USC, Oregon and the Buckeyes) along with Alabama.

The Winton Woods star stands 6-foot, 3-inches and weighs 220-pounds is being recruited as a potential Jack for Ohio State. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles abandoned his hybrid position this past fall, partially due to not having the personnel to play there.

Hill, the nation’s No. 72 overall prospect and 7th edge according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, is the perfect fit for the Jack position.

Hill has visited each of his final four schools, as his decision date gets closer and closer. Hopefully his visit to Columbus left a lasting impression.

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X. 

Florida high jumper Corvell Todd finishes fifth at US Olympic Trials

Former Florida Gators high jumper Corvell Tate placed fifth at the US Olympic Trials on Sunday.

Former Florida Gator Corvell Todd placed fifth in the high jump at the US Olympic Trials on Sunday night.

Todd was one of four jumpers to fail in the third progression at 2.24 meters (7 feet 4 1/4 inches), but he had the edge over the other three after clearing the 2.21-meter bar on his first try.

Alabama alumnus Shelby McEwen won the event as the only jumper to clear the 2.30-meter bar. He’s headed to the Paris Olympics, but the other spot on the national team is in question after a rough performance from JuVaughn Harrison, the only American to have met the Olympic Standard.

Harrison finished fourth after failing all three attempts at 2.27 meters and taking a second jump at 2.24 meters. It simply wasn’t his best day, and now he must wait to find out if he’s an Olympian or not.

Todd only needed one clearance to make it to the event finals. On his first attempt, he cleared the opening bar set at 2.14 meters, placing him in the top 12. Todd’s personal best is .01 meters higher than the 2.21 he jumped.

Corvell Todd at Florida

Todd joined Florida for the 2023 season after attending Southern Mississippi. He holds the No. 8 spot on the UF All-Time Top 10 List for the outdoor high jump with 2.21 meters  — the same height he jumped at Trials — at the Pepsi Florida Relays.

Todd is an excellent example of persistence and resiliency in sports. A Byahlia High (Miss.) graduate in 2018, Todd blossomed at Hinds Community College and began jumping over 7 feet in 2019. He won the 2019 and 2020 NJCAA indoor national titles, while also claiming the and the 2019 outdoor title.

His success continued into Division I competition, winning two CUSA Championships with Southern Mississippi and being named the 2022 Conference USA Men’s Field Athlete of the Year.

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