Local Sports Briefs

PARATRIATHLON

Norman headed to Rio test event

XENIA — Grace Norman has spent most of July preparing for the International Triathlon Union’s Rio de Janeiro race set for Aug. 1. She spent a week at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California (July 7-12) at the Elite Paratriathlon Camp. Each day, she was involved with specialized swimming, biking, and running coaches to improve her skills in all areas of the triathlon. Her transition times improved strikingly, and her bike portion is a lot stronger. Grace felt that the camp prepared her well for the international competitions this summer. It was also really neat to spend time with all the rest of the para-athletes who will be representing the United States in Rio this August.

She put all the elements together when she competed in the Indianapolis Sprint Triathlon, July 18 at Eagle Creek State Park. She started the race in the elite wave, racing all able-bodied athletes. The elite wave leaves first, and these athletes have to place in the top three or they forfeit the right to any age-group placing by qualifying yourself to this wave.

Norman put in a strong swim and was the first female out of the water. She executed two very smooth transitions, and had a solid bike time. The run was a little rough due to some dehydration. She finished as the third overall female with a good race time, and 24th out of 350 sprint racers, both men and women.

Today, Norman leaves for Rio de Janeiro. This is the official test event for the Rio 2016 games. All athletes will be racing the actual Olympic course. Only 60 para-athletes were selected to be part of this ITU race and Grace’s name was placed on the start list at the first stage due to her being ranked sixth in the world currently.

On Saturday, she will be racing women from Great Britain, Canada, Russia, Brazil, and Hungary.

SOFTBALL

Fairborn Parks and Recreation standings

(Through July 23)

MONDAY

REC Men’s E2 (7:15)

1. Anonymous Joes (5-1); 2. Mr. P’s (4-1); 3. The Funk/Liberty Tax Service (3-2); 4. Great Clips (3-3); 5. Red Wing Shoes (3-4); 6. Average Joes (2-4); 7. The Funk/Bowl 10 (1-6)

REC Men’s E2 (8:30 & 9:45 p.m.)

1.(tie) Miller Collision, The Funk/MPPR Lawncare/Jim’s Body Shop (6–1); 3. Anonymous Joe’s (4–3); 4. Relentless Cycle & Speed (3–4); 5. Beach Manufacturing (2-5); 6. The Funk/El Rancho Grande (0-7).

TUESDAY

Social Division — Church League

(7:15 & 8:30 p.m.)

1. The Believers (8–2); 2. Central Avenue Church of Christ (7–2); 3. One Love Church “A” (6–3); 4. Abiding Christ Lutheran (5-4); 5. One Love Church “B” (4-4); 6. Vandalia Nazarene (3-8); 7. Maple Avenue Church of God “A” (0–10)

THURSDAY

Rec Division — Church League

(7:15 & 8:30 p.m.)

1. Heart-N-Soule (8–1); 2. Maple Avenue Church of God “B” (7–2); 3. Arrowbrook Baptist (7–3); 4. Medway United Methodist (4–4); 5.(tie) St. Mark’s Episcopal, Huber Mennonite (4–6); 7.(tie) Spinning Road Baptist, St. Christopher’s (1–7).

HIGH SCHOOL

Gerry Faust to speak at Carroll HS today

RIVERSIDE — Coach Ben Rulli and the Carroll High School Football Team would like to invite the Carroll community to listen to legendary football coach Gerry Faust speak on FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS, and FOOTBALL.

His talk will take place in the Carroll gym starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28. Admission is free.

Immediately following, in a separate event, Coach Faust will lead Dayton area parochial football players in a Rosary Rally to be held at the University of Dayton in front of Immaculate Conception Chapel. It is set to begin at 7 p.m.

Coach Faust was born in Dayton on May 21, 1935, and was an All-State quarterback for his father, Fuzzy, the coach at Chaminade High School. He earned three letters in football at the University of Dayton and was a teammate of former Carroll Coach Jim Spoerl. Over an 18-season period, Faust led Cincinnati Moeller High School to a record of 174-17-2, 5 state championships, and 4 mythical national championships. He became the 24th head coach at The University of Notre Dame and compiled a record of 30-26-1 in five years. He resides in Akron with his wife, Marlene, and stays busy traveling and giving motivational talks inspired by his Catholic faith.

Compiled by John Bombatch and Zach Gregory. Please send sports information to: [email protected].