Jordan Rees is known for his research. In preparing for a race, he studies the background of every swimmer he's going up against. Long before Friday's Class 3A state meet, the Wharton senior sprinter predicted his specialty, the 50 freestyle, would come down to a faceoff between he and Miami Palmetto's Michael Saco. ...more

November 14, 2009

Gaither's girls and Plant's boys easily won the team trophies at Tuesday's Western Conference American Division track meet at Jefferson, but they may not have performed well enough to expect the same finish at next week's Vernon Korhn Hillsborough County Championships. ...more

March 24, 2009

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier used a news conference question Sunday as an opportunity to brag about the SEC. ...more

December 29, 2008

Danny Jones never takes all the glory. The Land O' Lakes driver began racing in go-karts at age 11, with the help of his father. At 15, he raced briefly in street stocks, but quickly jumped to the high-powered 360 Sprints where he still competes. ...more

October 23, 2008

Barrett Ruud said his sore right knee is unlikely to keep him out of Sunday's big game against Carolina. Tampa Bay's active middle linebacker hurt his knee at Denver and didn't return in Sunday's 16-13 setback, but Ruud is optimistic he'll start at Raymond James Stadium against the Panthers, who lead the NFC South at 4-1. "It was a freak play," Ruud said. "I fell and looked like a non-athlete. It's a day-to-day thing, but I feel like I should be ready. A little soreness is no problem and that's what I've got right now." Ruud is a key component on a defense that has yielded only eight touchdowns in five weeks. If Ruud is unable to go, second-year pro Adam Hayward figures to make his first NFL start. ...more

October 7, 2008

CROSS COUNTRY Lady Eagles finish fifth, Lady Bears sixth in Zak Lukas Invitational. ...more

September 20, 2008

They say you can use Earnest Graham to pound the football. He is tough, determined, dependable, but hardly a Usain Bolt in shoulder pads. Except he sure did a nice impression of a sprinter as he ran 68 yards down the right sideline late Sunday afternoon. ...more

September 14, 2008

Usain Bolt kept driving for the finish line, knowing the race was won but there was something even bigger out there. ...more

August 21, 2008

Splitting Hairs With Joey Galloway strapped to the sideline by a nagging groin strain, the Bucs have been working Antonio Bryant out at split end. They're working other players there as well, but Bryant is the one who bears watching tonight. Bryant is fast emerging as a starting-caliber candidate, and he could alleviate a lot of concern about Galloway's health and readiness for the regular season if he can work this spot effectively. The Bucs offense desperately needs a speedy receiver to clear out the middle of the field for its flanker, tight end and backs, so the split end is a key component. No one expects Bryant to unseat Galloway as the starter, but if Bryant can make some catches at this spot it will go a long way toward filling a need the Bucs have been looking to fill. ...more

August 17, 2008

Usain Bolt rewrote the record books again and captured his first Olympic medal Saturday, running the 100-meter dash in a stunning 9.69 seconds for a blowout win that could have been even worse. ...more

August 16, 2008