Mount Hood

Leicester defies 5,000 to 1 odds

By: Jamal Smith
Sports Editor

Almost everyone can appreciate an underdog story in sports, whether it is a Cinderella team who defies all odds to upset the heavy favorite or a team that comes back from a seemingly insurmountable deficit to shock the world. On May 2, Leicester City F.C. pulled off one of the craziest upsets in sports history when they were crowned champions of the Barclays Premier League.

Before the start of the season, English sports bookies gave Leicester City 5000:1 odds of winning the championship. “This is a genuine black-swan event,” said a spokesman for Ladbrokes bookmakers in an interview with Bloomberg News. “If you simulated the Premier League 5,000 times, Leicester should win it once. We’re not going to be around for another 5,000 Premier Leagues to see if that’s the case.”

Although England’s Barclays Premier League is considered the most competitive soccer league in the world, there is a huge disparity between the teams normally at the top and the teams near the bottom. In fact, before Leicester City’s improbable victory, only four teams had won the league in the past two decades: Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal.

Then there is the fact that Leicester City has never in their club’s history finished in the top five teams of the league. In 2004, Leicester had a tough year and because of their poor record, they got regulated to England’s second-tier league, and then in 2008, Leicester was bad enough to get bumped down even further: to the third tier.

Leicester only spent one year in the England’s third-tier league, they finished the season at the top of the league and moved up. Then, after spending five years in the second-tier, in 2014 Leicester moved up to the Premier League and finished in 14th place, just six points away from moving back down again.

Even this season as Leicester began pulling off result after result, it seemed like nobody gave them a chance to win. So, when Leicester pulled off the incredible upset on Monday, the city of Leicester was in absolute jubilation. Fans hugged and kissed complete strangers in celebration.

Fans will never forget this incredible victory, and the improbable win goes to show that anything can happen in sports.

Contact the author at jsmith15@wou.edu or on Twitter @journalsportWOU

Idiot of the week

By: Jamal Smith
Sports Editor

When Johnny Manziel was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland fans celebrated like they had won the Super Bowl. Cleveland fans had good reason to be excited; Manziel electrified the college football world in his rookie season, becoming the first rookie quarterback in college football history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards on his way to becoming the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner.

Fast-forward two years and Johnny “Football” is making the headlines every week, but not for the right reasons. In this year’s NFL offseason, Manziel was released from the Browns, his agent, and his sponsors after weekly reports surfaced of Manziel’s excessive partying. Without an NFL team, Manziel’s life looks like a tragedy unfolding right before our eyes.

Manziel recently made the news yet again when the former Texas A&M star turned himself in on a domestic violence misdemeanor stemming from an incident in January involving his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley. Manziel was subsequently booked and released on a $1,500 bond.

Although Manziel’s stay in jail was brief, he left behind a mugshot that has gone viral. In the photo, Manziel is beaming with a smug, defiant grin. Then, shortly after his release, Manziel took to Twitter to show his defiance yet again by tweeting, “Just thankful I had a shirt this time.” The tweet was deleted shortly after it was posted to his account.

The tweet Manziel posted referenced a 2012 mug shot taken of a shirtless Manziel after he was arrested for disorderly conduct in a bar fight.

Manziel had the potential to be a great professional football player; however, his smug, defiant, and privileged attitude have attributed to his fall from grace. Stay tuned, this most likely isn’t the last time you will see Manziel in the news.

Contact the author at jsmith15@wou.edu or on Twitter @journalsportWOU

Wolves postseason run ends at GNAC Championships

By: Jamal Smith
Sports Editor

Western’s softball team found their groove at the right time, finishing out the season with a string of victories that propelled them into the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships as the No. 2 seed. For the Wolves, every facet of the game seemed to be clicking: their pitching, offense, and defense.

So going into their opening game of the post-season in Lacey, Wash., on April 28, the Wolves had the momentum and the confidence that is needed for a team to win the championship. The Wolves’ first opponent in the opening round was Concordia University, a team Western beat three out of four times at the end of the regular season.

The same success Western found in the regular season against the Cavaliers continued into the postseason, as the Wolves came away with a 3-1 victory.

Junior infielder Kelsie Gardner had two hits and one RBI in three at-bats. Gardner, who is ranked third in the GNAC in batting percentage with a season average of .430, has been one of the Wolves most dangerous offensive weapons all year long.

In the fourth inning, junior catcher Mercedes Green belted her sixth home run of the season to put the Wolves up 2-0. Then later in the inning, Gardner connected for an infield single which stretched the Wolves’ advantage to 3-0.

Western’s starting pitcher, senior Alyson Boytz, had one of her best performances of the season, only allowing the Cavaliers’ offense four hits all game long. Boytz pitched from start to finish, and got herself out a bases loaded situation in the fifth inning on her way to the 3-1 victory.

Then on April 29, the Wolves blanked Saint Martin’s University (SMU) 4-0 in the second round of the playoffs and advanced to the Championship game.
In the second inning, junior infielder Ashlee Lynch crushed a two-out solo home run over the left field wall for her ninth home run of the season. Not to be outdone, in the fifth inning, junior infielder Destiny Kuehl connected on a fastball that went out of the park for her 13th home run of the season which gave the Wolves the 4-0 advantage over SMU.

Boytz followed up her incredible performance just the day before with an even more impressive outing. Boytz again went the distance and only allowed two hits in her shutout.

After the two decisive victories, Western advanced to the finals for a doubleheader against Central Washington University on April 30.

Central Washington clinched the No. 1 seed in the playoffs with a conference record of 18-10. In the regular season, the Wolves played the Wildcats four times and only came away with one victory. The Championship double header played out similar to the meetings between the two teams in the regular season, as the Wildcats stunned the Wolves 11-2 in their first matchup and then 9-3 in their second.

The Wolves finished the season with a record of 31-24 and 16-11 in conference play. Although the Wolves fell short on winning the GNAC Championship, the team gave it their all and proved that looking forward to next season, they are indeed a dangerous team.

Contact the author at jsmith15@wou.edu or on Twitter @journalsportWOU

Shaking off the rust

By: Jamal Smith 
Sports editor

It has been a little over five months since Western’s football team played their last game of the season. For fans and players alike, the offseason can be a difficult time, dealing with the symptoms of football withdrawals. Sure, one can find enjoyment in other sports, but there is nothing like the drama and excitement that a weekend football game provides.

Luckily, for all those suffering football withdrawals, spring ball is here to help ease the pain.

In the spring, Western holds three scrimmages open to the public. The second was on Saturday, April 30 at Central High School.

The scrimmages provide an opportunity for the coaches to evaluate their players in game-type scenarios.

“We’re trying to get our punt returners, our kick returners, our quarterbacks, and our offensive line all game type situations and still limit the true contact because we want to keep our guys Screen Shot 2016-05-01 at 8.56.24 PMhealthy,” said Wolves’ head coach, Arne Ferguson. “We are down 25 players from where we normally are so that is a little concerning to make sure that we don’t decrease our numbers for spring ball because of injuries.”

For Ferguson and the rest of the coaching staff, the balancing act of getting their players acclimated to game situations while protecting them from injuries is one of their main focuses this spring.

Another focus of the coaches is evaluating incoming freshman and walk-ons.
“We got about 16 players that just came in and won an opportunity to walk on, and they are doing awesome,” said Ferguson. “In our first scrimmage, all the kids did really well and it was probably the best scrimmage we have had since I have been here.”

The scrimmages also provide the coaches opportunities to better figure where players will fit into the depth chart.

“Our coaches all have a depth chart in mind,” said Ferguson. “What we think we have in mind is a daily process. We evaluate the kids’ work ethic, desire, non-football related things, and also we still remember what they have done in the past.”

“Once spring ball starts, it is a day-to-day operation where we go through all positions daily, and we’re looking for the improvements that they are making,” added Ferguson. “We are also looking for their growth and size potential for the future, but also, we are looking for guys with a tremendous desire and a thumb for the game. Those guys stand out and it’s contagious and it makes the team better.”

For fans dying to get a look at the team, all of the scrimmages are free and open to the public. Check www.wouwolves.com periodically for the updated information concerning the date and location of the last scrimmage.

Contact the author at jsmith15@wou.edu or on Twitter @journalsportWOU

Idiot of the week

By: Jamal Smith
Sports Editor

Laremy Tunsil had a bad week. In a manner of minutes, the NFL prospect watched Screen Shot 2016-05-01 at 8.55.58 PMmillions of dollars blow away in a cloud of smoke, literally and figuratively.

Tunsil, a highly touted offensive lineman from Ole Miss, arrived at the NFL draft on April 28, expecting to hear his name called in the top six picks. However, just minutes before the draft was set to commence, a video surfaced on his social media account allegedly showing Tunsil smoking a substance out of a gas mask bong.

According to Tunsil’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, the video posted to Tunsil’s social media account was the work of a hacker.

The incriminating video made NFL teams hesitant to select the 6’ 5”, 305 pounder, and Tunsil’s draft stock plummeted. Tunsil was finally selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 13th pick; a fall from grace which ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter says cost Tunsil $7 million by falling seven spots in the draft.

Then in an even more bizarre twist, an image was posted on Tunsil’s Instagram account showing an alleged conversation between Tunsil and Ole Miss assistant athletic director, John Miller, about paying the electric bills and rent of Tunsil’s mother. Sexton also claimed that a hacker was behind the leak.

As an aspiring professional athlete, Tunsil should have taken better care on what he puts on his social media account, whether set on private or not. Sure, almost everyone has at least one skeleton in their closet, but Tunsil should have realized that every single one of his actions would be scrutinized under a microscope.

It is safe to assume that Tunsil is regretting that $7 million bong rip.
Contact the author at jsmith15@wou.edu or on Twitter @journalsportWOU

Blazers nip the Clip

Screen Shot 2016-05-01 at 8.55.46 PM

By: Jamal Smith
Sports Editor

When the Portland Trail Blazers were down 0-2 in their best of seven first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, all hope seemed to be lost. The young Blazer squad appeared to be outmatched and seemed to lack the weapons to defeat the Clippers in four out of their final five games of the Western Conference series.

While many fans and sports analysts considered the series all but over, the underdog Blazers saw it as an opportunity to prove the naysayers wrong yet again. History was also against the Blazers, as only two out of 53 squads since 2009 have ever come back from a 0-2 deficit.

In their first two games against the Clippers in Los Angeles, the Blazers were absolutely dominated in every facet of the game, losing both games by at least 20 points. After going down 0-2, the Blazers hoped that they could feed off the energy from the Rose City crowd and make the series interesting, and that they did.

In game three, Portland came out with a sense of urgency and defeated the Clippers 96-88.

Then in game four, the Blazers took care of business and came away victorious with an assist from Clipper’s All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, who both had to leave the game with season-ending injuries. Paul fractured his hand and Griffin re-aggravated a quad injury that has plagued him all season long.

With the freak injuries to the Clippers’ best two players, Portland went from underdog to the favorite overnight. Being a favorite was an unfamiliar position for the Blazers who have embraced the underdog role all season long, which left many sports analysts wondering how each team would respond.

In game five back in L.A., the Clippers started the game with great energy, and outplayed the Blazers in the first half. However, the Clips ran out of gas and the Blazers took advantage and won the game 108-98.

With the advantage now going to the Blazers, Portland had a chance to finish off the fledgling Clippers back on their home court. Led by point guard Damian Lillard’s 28 points, the Blazers squeaked out a 106-103 victory taking the series 4-2, and the entire city of Portland celebrated as confetti fell from the ceiling of the Moda Center.

The Blazers will now play the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs. Golden State will be without their best player, Stephen Curry, who went out with a sprained knee in game four of the first round matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. Curry could come back as soon as May 9.

Portland has already defied expectations for the season. Although they are underdogs going into their matchup with Golden State, they are right where they want to be, so don’t be surprised if they find a way to shock the world yet again.

Contact the author at jsmith15@wou.edu or on Twitter @journalsportWOU.

Streaking Wolves earn playoff spot

By: Jamal Smith 
Sports editor

It’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish. With a record that teetered near the .500 mark all season, Western’s softball team pulled together a string of victories at the end of the season, and was the first team in the conference to clinch a prized spot in the GNAC Championships.

The playoff-bound Wolves finished the last of their regular season matchups in blistering fashion with three double headers in three consecutive days. Out of the six games played, Western finished with five victories and only one loss.

The first double header was on April 19, when the Wolves hosted the Beacons of Northwest Christian University.

Junior catcher Mercedes Green was the hero of the first game, belting two home runs. Green’s first homer came in the sixth inning which evened the score at 2-2. With neither team able to score in regulation, the game went into extra innings.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Green stepped up to the plate and worked the count to her favor with three balls and one strike. On the next pitch, Green belted a shot to left field which bounced off the wall and careened out of the park to give the Wolves the 3-2 victory.

The Beacons looked for revenge in second matchup of the day, but the Wolves’ pitching was extraordinary. Between three Western pitchers (junior Sammi Cadwallader, senior Stephanie Morgan, and freshman Haley Favian) the Wolves pitched their first no-hitter in 14 years and easily defeated the Beacons 6-0.

Western looked to continue to ride their momentum from their two emotional victories when the Wolves hosted Concordia University on the following day. The Wolves had extra pressure to produce victories because the games marked the last home games of the season and the last home games for the team’s seniors.

In game one, Green continued right where she left off the day before, batting a perfect three for three. Junior Emma Alfonso had two hits and two RBI’s, and the Wolves went on to defeat the Cavaliers by a score of 4-3.

In the second matchup of the day and the score even at 1-1 going into the bottom of the eighth inning, junior infielder Kelsie Gardner had a chance to be the hero when she stepped up to the plate. Gardner hit a ground ball up the middle which brought the go-ahead run home and gave the Wolves the 2-1 lead.

Then on Thursday, Western traveled to Portland for a double header rematch against the Cavaliers. In game one, the Wolves scored in a flurry late in the game and came away with a 4-2 victory. The second game of the day however, went in the Cavaliers’ favor as they blanked the Wolves 5-0.

Western’s late season streak propelled them up in the standings and they currently sit in the third spot in the conference. With the five victories, the Wolves clinched a spot in the GNAC Tournament which is set to begin on April 28. Check www.wouwolves.com for the time and opponent.

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