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PATRICK: Chance of a lifetime

A former rower himself, Marietta High School crew coach Tanner O’Connor knows first-hand what his girls are going through as they prepare for Saturday’s competition on an international scope. The five-member team of Mo Caslow (coxswain), Eden Ingram (bow seat), Wilkey Smith (three seat), Katie Lovejoy (two seat) and Madi Lovejoy (stroke) are part of the 22-member field in the Junior 4+ Division for this weekend’s Henley Women’s Regatta. Races are held at England’s River Thames – the birthplace of competitive rowing. “Crew is the one sport where you spend 365 days ...

Column: Plenty of options for QB-needy teams in 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, and it looks to be one of the most important in recent memory. With six quarterbacks slated to go somewhere in the first round, the NFL landscape will look much different at the conclusion of the night’s festivities than before. I figured that given the circumstances, a ranked analysis of each first round quarterback prospect and their potential destinations is warranted. Caleb Williams - USC Williams is undoubtedly the number one pick, and therefore headed to Chicago. Carolina would have the first overall pick, but the Panthers gave it away in a ...

COLUMN: Chiefs or 49ers? Here’s a swift way to decide

It’s that time of year again, when casual and even non-football fans turn their attention to the last gridiron game of the season. A lot of it has to do with the social aspects, the food and camaraderie, maybe even the commercials. Some might be drawn by a major musical performer being right, smack dab in the middle of the game. Or some people might want to watch Usher at halftime. Yes, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend and his teammates are facing the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of Super Bowl LIV, back when Travis Kelce’s team was known as the Kansas City Chiefs. I kid, but many ...

COLUMN: Marietta-Warren game was a thrilling experience

Normally if you arrive at a high school basketball game during halftime of the JV contest, chances are you’ll find a pretty good seat. However, if you showed up to Friday’s Marietta-Warren triple-header during the JV game, you likely were trying to find somewhere to squeeze into the Sutton Gymnasium bleachers — that’s if you found a place to park. Friday’s rivalry matchup, which pitted the top two teams in the Southeast District against one another, had a little bit of everything. Most importantly, it was a great battle between two talented basketball teams, as well as a ...

LEE: Tepper’s fine is a laughing stock

After dumping a drink on fans during a 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was fined a mere $300,000. The disgusting display of immaturity on the part of Tepper is only made worse by the slap on the wrist provided by the NFL. This incident coinciding with a massive increase in the fines that players have been forced to pay makes it clear where the NFL’s priorities are. There is clear evidence of a double standard in the way the league treats its owners — who add little to the game, and the players — those who generate the billions ...

PATRICK: For a moment, time stood still for Crusaderettes

As if frozen in time, Parkersburg Catholic senior Mary Tokodi-Ruth watched the sequence play out. Almost as if she became a spectator rather than a player on the court, she witnessed the ball leave Jocelynn Thorn’s hands, the shot bank off the front iron and her younger sister, Annie, turn into Johnny-on-the-spot and pull down the offensive rebound. After Annie made the 2-foot putback just before time expired, the time warp disappeared and Mary looked for her sister and hugged her with tears in her eyes. The final 10.3 seconds of regulation during Tuesday’s high school girls ...