Earlier this week, the USA Track and Field and the United State Olympic Committee announced its new dead-heat procedure for third place at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
In the case of a third-place tie, a run-off protocol or coin toss protocol will take place.
The explanation of the run-off protocol is two paragraphs long in the press release dated June 24.
The coin toss protocol?
It is six paragraphs long.
It goes into so much detail it's like an Olympic feat in and of itself.
"USATF shall provide a United States quarter dollar coin with the image of George Washington appearing on the obverse hub of the coin and an eagle appearing on the reverse hub of the coin," the press release states.
The press release goes on to explain how each athlete involved with the coin toss should stand - facing one another.
It also explains how the USATF representative should bend their finger when flipping the coin - at a 90 degree angle to his or her thumb, allowing the coin to rest on his or her thumb.
"In one single action, the USATF representative shall toss the coin into the air, allowing the coin to fall to the ground," the release states.
The indepth explanation cracks me up.
Someone put a lot of thought into setting this procedure up.
They spelled out every scenerio including this tidbit - "The athlete who chose the hub that is displayed shall be declared the winner by the USATF representative."
You've got to love it.

-Theresa Neuhoff Audia

It just wasn't meant to be for Euclid graduate Jessica Beard on Sunday during the women's 400-meter run final at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore. Beard took eighth, a little more than a second off the top three and subsequent qualifiers for the London Olympics with a time of 51.52.


It was going to be a tough ask no matter how you slice it, especially being the seventh fastest of eight finalists. But there is absolutely no shame in being in the argument.

As far as the mechanics of the race, coming out of Lane 2 is not an easy chore. At that level, no matter how good your skill set is you are not testing the oncoming wave of the stagger being made up by the middle lanes.

A couple things worth noting: In the last two Olympic Trials prior to Sunday, Lane 2 accounted for a fourth and a seventh. Also, the third-place time in those Trials were a 50.28 and a 50.88.

In order to be a factor from an outside lane, it requires attacking the backstretch and turn hard. And that's a risky proposition, because taking it out too hard likely leaves little to nothing for the last 50 meters. It also makes it an uphill battle at best to test the median of those third-place times, a 50.58.

It felt like about a 50.4 would be needed coming in, and that's exactly what happened. Sanya Richards-Ross, a great U.S. ambassador for this sport if there ever was one, took it out so flawlessly and then brought it home in 49.28. She was followed by Dee Dee Trotter (50.02) and Francena McCorory (50.43).

Again, that takes nothing away from Beard being in the argument. She had a shot at the London Olympics, and as has been stated before, the area needs an example, of which she certainly is one. If you can look at someone from our area come up through the ranks and challenge for the Olympics - whether they make it or not - it's inspirational to younger athletes that they can aspire the same way.

So while it wasn't meant to be this time for Jessica Beard, she more than did this area proud.

- Chris Lillstrung | @CLillstrungNH

With a new era of college football upon us and true playoff expected to begin in 2014, it's natural to think what could have been during the BCS era.

The BCS was created with one goal: to pit No. 1 vs. No. 2 in a national championship game. Under what's expected to be the new format - beginning in 2014 - of seeding the top four teams in the country and playing it off, the world of college football would have potentially been even more chaotic.

Look at what would have been the Final Four matchups since 1998:

1998: (1) Tennessee vs. (4) Ohio State; (2) Florida State vs. (3) Kansas State

1999: (1) Florida State vs. (4) Alabama; (2) Virginia Tech vs. (3) Nebraska

2000: (1) Oklahoma vs. (4) Washington; (2) Florida State vs. (3) Miami (Fla.)

2001: (1) Miami (Fla.) vs. (4) Oregon; (2) Nebraska vs. (3) Colorado

2002: (1) Miami (Fla.) vs. (4) USC; (2) Ohio State vs. (3) Georgia

2003: (1) Oklahoma vs. (4) Michigan; (2) LSU vs. (3) USC

2004: (1) USC vs. (4) Texas; (2) Oklahoma vs. (3) Auburn

2005: (1) USC vs. (4) Ohio State; (2) Texas vs. (3) Penn State

2006: (1) Ohio State vs. (4) LSU; (2) Florida vs. (3) Michigan

2007: (1) Ohio State vs. (4) Oklahoma; (2) LSU vs. (3) Virginia Tech

2008: (1) Oklahoma vs. (4) Alabama; (2) Florida vs. (3) Texas

2009: (1) Alabama vs. (4) TCU: (2) Texas vs. (3) Cincinnati

2010: (1) Auburn vs. (4) Stanford; (2) Oregon vs. (4) TCU

2011: (1) LSU vs. (4) Stanford; (2) Alabama vs. (3) Oklahoma State

Five teams not ranked in the top 2 would have had a great shot at winning a four-team playoff since 1998. They are:

1998 Ohio State: The Buckeyes were No. 1 for most of the season until a loss to unranked Michigan State at home (coached by Nick Saban, by the way). Led by QB Joe Germaine, OSU's offense was scary good and would have played eventual national champion Tennessee in a Final Four game. The Buckeyes would have had a great shot at knocking off the Volunteers and the winner of Florida State-Kansas State.

2000 Miami (Fla.): Coach Butch Davis and his Hurricanes beat Florida State in the regular season, but the Seminoles played in the title game against Oklahoma, which baffled fans across the country. The U was loaded with QB Ken Dorsey, RB Clinton Portis and TE Jeremy Shockey, and hammered Florida in the Sugar Bowl.

2002 USC: The Trojans, led by Heisman-winning QB Carson Palmer, were playing as well as any team late in the season, but two losses early in the season to Kansas State and Washington State, sunk USC's hopes for a national championship. The new format is perfect for a team such as this, one that is mega-talented, lost a game or two early, but playing well at the right time.

2004 Auburn: The Tigers weren't flashy that year with QB Jason Campbell, and a tough defense, but they were the SEC champions and as we've all witnessed during the BCS era, that means a lot.

2010 Stanford: QB Andrew Luck led his team to a 12-1 mark and an easy win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Had there been a four-team playoff that season, we would have seen a Final Four matchup pitting Auburn and Cam Newton against the Cardinal and Luck. Sign me up for that.

- Mark Podolski | @mpodo

Have you ever watched a Pittsburgh Steeler break away from the Browns' defense and wished a Cleveland player could bust out a TASER and take him out?

If so, the UTB is for you. After going to the league's website, I'm not sure if this is for real. But it is entertaining. Enjoy the promotional video, but don't try this at home.

- Howard Primer

With four days of practice down, it's time to see who rules the JTO on Friday in the second annual News-Herald Senior Bowl - the Blue or the White.

The response has been great, the turnout has been phenomenal and the spirit is high for both teams.

Intensity level on Thursday definitely went to the White Team, which practiced in jerseys and had a rousing pep talk from assistant coach John Gibbons (Lake Catholic). The Blue team was focused, but more relaxed with a "hat day" and no pads whatsoever.

Guarantee the game and the 7pm kickoff will be a boiling point for both squads. Look forward to a great game.

- Bill Tilton

A hot day at the JTO, but a great practice day for the N-H Senior Bowl on Tuesday.

The players were excited and energized and it seems the White team and the Blue team are putting things together well for a great matchup Friday.

Always interesting to watch parents come observe practice, and how excited the players are to get food after practice. Glory Daze Bar and Grille in Wickliffe was a HUGE HIT with the wings they provided. Our sponsors are the best.

The Blue team wants to get a quick pace and a no-huddle attack going it seems. The White team is very talented and big and athletic.

The competitive juices are flowing. Can't wait for Friday.

The N-H Senior Bowl kicks off at 7 pm Friday at the JTO and we hope to have a big crowd.

Plenty of in-game entertainment, and the action on the field will be fantastic. What a great event! Be there on Friday.

- BTilton@News-Herald.com

The first practice for the 2012 News-Herald Senior Bowl could not have went any better.

The Blue and the White teams had almost maximum turnout, and it appears the game on June 22 is going to be a great matchup.

Last year, there were a lot of players who did not show up or decided not to play after committing to the game causing some anxious moments and low numbers. That is not the case here in 2012, which will only add to the strength of the event.

Some great individual plays in practice, good weather, avoided the rain. ALL GOOD!

Gonna be hot Tuesday and Wednesday, but the coaches and trainers are on top of it and safety will be the No. 1 concern.

Can't wait for Friday. The players and coaches share my enthusiasm and the fans of football in Northeast Ohio will be the beneficiaries.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. at the JTO! Where will you be?

- BTilton@News-Herald.com

If you watch golf casually as I do or perhaps even more so on television, probably everyone can agree on one of its most annoying nuances.

Picture it: Someone steps on the tee of a 600-yard par 5 or an approach shot for a hole placement more than 300 yards away. Right after contact - or unfortunately sometimes during it - a member of the gallery will yell "Get in the hole!"

It's probably the same people who think it's awesome to get on their cell phone during a televised sporting event while announcers are talking during a break in the action because they see themselves on TV and wave incessantly or make a silly face.

The old saying about being a couple cards short of a deck comes to mind.

If it's a putt or a realistic short-game shot - OK, fine, "Get in the hole!" is justifiable.

But you know what would really liven things up? In this day and age of dedicated product placement, what if people planted in the gallery, instead of yelling, "Get in the hole!" suddenly used that moment to pitch brands?

On a Phil Mickelson tee shot, you suddenly hear, "Progressive!" or "Breyers!" or "Burger King!"

Perhaps if it was the right food for the right customer, it would be a type of subliminal messaging. A timely slipin of "Arby's!" would make someone want to run to the nearest drive-thru for a beef and cheddar and some curly fries.

Besides, if it was product placement, it would be a heck of a lot more understandable than the constant "Get in the hole!"

Listen, I know you've probably had four or five beers on the course and made a bet at your drinking establishment in advance that you would say "Get in the hole!" loud enough for your buddies to hear you, BUT THE REST OF US GOT TIRED OF THAT "TRADITION" A LONG TIME AGO.

Ah, I feel better now. Let's go watch some golf. And head out on a fast food run.

- Chris Lillstrung

If you love area high school football, we have you covered next Friday at Mentor's Jerome T. Osborne Stadium.

Let's call it a celebration of area high school football. The second News-Herald Senior Bowl kicks off at 7 p.m.

We'll have stories, photos, video all week leading up to the game. Tickets are $7 and $5 for students and children, but tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 at The News-Herald and The Hooley House, the game's lead sponsor.

Tony Fisher, whose name graces The N-H football player of the year trophy, will be in attendance for the coin flip, as will 2011 co-Fisher Award winners Mitch Trubisky of Mentor and South's Kareem Hunt.

The N-H Senior Scholar Athlete award will be named at halftime. New this year is the addition of a $500 scholarship to the winner. Also new is the Dick Beeler Award, given the Senior Bowl game MVP.

In addition, Kirtland's 2011 state championship football team will be honored after the first quarter, and all area teams that won a conference championships and qualified for the state playoffs will be mentioned.

The N-H Senior Bowl: It's all area high school football fans really need in the summer.

- Mark Podolski | @mpodo

With two-a-days about six weeks away, we can look ahead to the 2012 high school football season.  To whet your appetite, here's a look at the area schools with the most victories the past 10 seasons (compiled by Ricky Deleandro and Jim Finlayson):

1. Mentor    92
2. Chagrin Falls    87
3. Lake Catholic    86
4. Kirtland    82
T5. South    74
T5. West Geauga    74
7. Perry    73
8. Mayfield    71
9. Madison    67
10. Gilmour    66
11. University    65
12. Euclid    59
T13. Chardon    58
T13. Ledgemont    58
T15. Cardinal    54
T15. Kenston    54
T17. Berkshire    52
T17. Hawken    52
19. NDCL    51
20. VASJ    50
21. Benedictine    49
22. North    46
23. Riverside    39
24. Harvey    38
25. Geneva    37
26. Fairport    32
27. Richmond Heights    31
28. Brush    30
29. Wickliffe    24
30. Newbury    15

White Sox announcer and Brush graduate Steve Stone took stock of the American League Central recently in a phone interview with The News-Herald.

Here’s his take on the Tigers, Indians and White Sox with the All-Star break fast approaching.

On the Tigers (29-33 and five games back on June 14)

“They still are a very good team, but they are having problems with the back end of their starting rotation. But when (Victor Martinez) comes back, they are going to be right there.

“What Detroit has is those two big guys (Prince Fielder, Miquel Cabrera) in the middle and they are going to get Victor Martinez back, and when you get him back ... if you looked at last year, he hit close to .400 with runners in scoring position last year.

“I anticipate Detroit will be there at the end.”

On the Indians (32-29 and 1.5 games back on June 14)

“I love the offense. I saw (Jason) Kipnis last year, and I thought he was going to be a terrific player. As it turned it, he’s turned into an impact player. You have to love Asdrubal Cabrera. (Michael) Brantley has done a nice job taking over for (Grady) Sizemore. I think they’re waiting for Lonnie Chisenhall, and you’ve got to love Carlos Santana.

“The back end of their bullpen has been terrific. When you look at (Vinnie) Pestano and (Chris) Perez, you see two of the best relievers around. Joe Smith can really tough on right-handers.”

(The Indians’) big question mark is their starting rotation, but overall they’re solid, and Manny Acta is a terrific manager. He knows his players well and I think the experience he had in Washington has really helped him well in Cleveland.”

On the White Sox (34-28 and 1.5 ahead on June 14)

“I anticipated (the AL Central) being a three-team race for a while. I think if you’re looking at all the teams, you’d have to say the (White) Sox have the capability of being there at the end. Whether or not they will be, we’ll have to wait and see.

“I’m interested in how (the White Sox’s) starting pitching holds up. Right now, we have a couple of guys (Chris Sale and Jake Peavy) that are really good, and three guys that have to pick it up.

“They have to start winning at home. I don’t believe you can win your division unless you start dominating at home. (The White Sox) are playing well on the road, but we haven’t been to New York, Boston, Toronto. We have a tough road left which means we have to start winning at home. If we don’t win at home, then the division will go to someone else.”

- Mark Podolski | @mpodo

Seven days later, it all still seems surreal.

If you're reading this, you're probably well aware of what happened the last time we met in this space, a blog entry about a nice moment at the conclusion of the Division III girls 3,200-meter run at last weekend's state track and field meet - and a great video of said moment captured by my colleague Theresa Audia - apparently played a role in the moment moving along to become a national headline.

It's been amazing to watch the deserved praise and attention given to the two athletes involved - West Liberty Salem's Meghan Vogel and Arlington's Arden McMath - and all the credit is rightfully where it belongs with them.

Before we close this chapter, I need to share with you the back story of watching this story take off from behind the scenes, because it served as a fascinating reminder of how connected we all are.

The D-III 3,200 was of interest initially News-Herald area-wise because of our local contingent in the race, Hawken's Ally Markovich and Gilmour's Halle Markel. Markovich won her first career state title with a wonderfully executed race strategy, and Markel was a solid fifth. While tweeting the exploits of our area athletes, I looked up and it happened. The crowd rose at once, with an ovation unlike any I've ever heard at state track, as Vogel helped McMath finish and Audia very smartly chronicled the sequence on video.



Similar to many media outlets across Ohio, we mentioned what had happened in our coverage. Obviously with it being two athletes who reside probably four hours from where we are on the east side of Cleveland, it was noteworthy but not a primary element Sunday in our newspaper or online.

On that Sunday, I blogged about it for two simplistic reasons. It seemed like a nice moment worth sharing with our local audience, even though that moment didn't involve area athletes, and just as importantly, Audia's video deserved another platform to be spotlighted. Words are all well and good, but the video says much more than a few paragraphs ever could. It's also worth noting it seemed vital to see if there were comments on the incident from either Vogel or McMath to their local media. When I searched for them on Google News that Sunday afternoon while writing the blog, only one entry came up because Vogel had spoken to the Springfield News-Sun.

Unbeknownst to Audia and I, on Monday morning Mary LaRocco, the wife of VASJ coach Dan LaRocco, thought enough of the blog/video to send a link of it to Drudge Report.

Surreal is the best word to describe what happened from there, between the number of views of the video (last word was more than half a million), the views of the blog (more than 150,000) and those who linked to or tweeted it (ESPN, CBS News, Fox News, Headline News and Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch among many others). Let's just say we're not used to that kind of traffic.

The best sports story (and video) you'll see today: bit.ly/KbV7e1
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) June 5, 2012

Some of the comments and reaction to the story nationally were also surreal - I respectfully agree to disagree with where some of it went.

Nevertheless, what matters is Vogel and McMath got national attention for their shared moment. They did the morning TV circuit, both locally and nationally, and the story ended up being retold on the front page of ESPN.com and replayed on shows such as "Inside Edition", again among many others.

Initially, all it seemed like was a great moment between two non-News-Herald area athletes at the state track and field meet that our local audience should hear, and this blog seemed to be the logical place to retell that story.

By the time it was done, the story had resonated to be so much more than that, showing how interlinked we can be regardless of the miles that may separate us physically.

- Chris Lillstrung
CLillstrung@News-Herald.com | @CLillstrungNH

The Dodgers' Matt Kemp has been selected as the National League captain for the home run derby.

In other words, he will issue invitations to players, who then have a choice to accept or not.

On the American League side, captain Robinson Cano of the Yankees won't have the Rangers' Josh Hamilton on his side. The slugger has said he won't participate.

I like the home run derby, but I do think the event is too long with too many competitors. Still, it's amazing and exciting to watch how far a big-leaguer can hit a baseball, and right now phenom Bryce Harper is the one of the most exciting players in the majors.

Harper, the No. 1 overall pick two years ago, is 19. Not since Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. came along in the 1990s has a young phenom looked so good while so young. Harper has six home runs in 37 games and is batting .282, but it's more than that.

He's charismatic, has a great swing, and he does have immense power. He would be an immediate TV draw. Fans would watch if Harper was in the home run derby, including this one.

- Mark Podolski | @mpodo

Antonio Tarver fought Lateef Kayoda on Saturday.

We used our big-fight approach that night: Hope to get a few paragraphs in the print edition, and post a full story on our website when it becomes available.

I checked Twitter at 12:30 a.m., and the fight was just starting. That's late even by boxing standards.

Most big fights start in the 11:30 p.m. range, always on a Saturday.

I don't understand the thinking. Who starts anything -- a sporting event, concert or TV show, as examples -- that late on a Saturday night and expects to draw a big audience? Most professional sports leagues avoid Saturday night as much as they can. Ironically, we have a Game 7 between the Celtics and Heat in the NBA this Saturday, but that's only because of the compressed schedule with the lockout.

Otherwise, that game would be on a Sunday, which I wish boxing would try for a big bout.

Tarver, 43, might not be the best example anymore. Moving his match might not have made a difference in pay-per-view buys.

But for fighters who do move the needle, how about trying a Sunday night at say, 9 or 9:30 p.m.? That's still evening on the West Coast.

Boxing has so few stars left that only a couple could create enough stir to make it work. Manny Pacquiao is one of them. He has a fight on Saturday night. The undercard it scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Lets hope they can get to the main event before Saturday turns into Sunday.

- Howard Primer

When rumors began Thursday the Browns might be for sale, the team quickly released a statement.

"The Browns are not for sale."

For Browns fans, that's great news. Unfortunately, the statement did not come from owner Randy Lerner. Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis' name was associated with the quote.

How difficult would it have been for Lerner to tell the team's public relations department to apply his name to that quote? We're probably talking a conversation that would have taken a few minutes.

Having that statement coming from the owner of the team would have had a much greater affect, but what the public was given was a head-scratcher. Am I over reacting? Maybe.

One thing is for sure: If I owned an NFL team and a rumor was circulating the team might be up for sale, and the rumor wasn't true, the public would hear it from ME and no one else.

- Mark Podolski | @mpodo

As I'm writing this, it's been nearly 24 hours since the end of the state track and field meet.

It was an honor to have three News-Herald area state champions, one more than last year, and so many area standouts reach the podium, many for the first time.

With all due respect to those significant accomplishments, though, this particular state meet may be remembered in sizable part for one athlete's incredible gesture, an athlete who resides nowhere near our area but deserves a wealth of praise.

The Division III girls 3,200-meter run was finishing up, with Hawken's Ally Markovich winning her first career state championship and the 25th all-time for the N-H area powerhouse program. Of the 15 athletes entered, 13 had finished. And then the crowd rose to its feet in unison for this incredible moment, captured by my colleague Theresa Audia:




The athlete on the left is Meghan Vogel of West Liberty Salem, a school located in west central Ohio about 50 miles northeast of Dayton. The athlete on the right is Arden McMath of Arlington, which is about 15 miles south of Findlay. With about 50 meters to go, McMath's legs buckled and it was clear she would be unable to finish. Vogel, who had earlier won the D-III 1,600, was running in last and saw what was playing out in front of her. She came up right next to McMath and, well, you see the rest. The crowd grew louder as they both crossed the finish line, with Vogel allowing McMath to finish ahead of her.

In 13 years of covering area high school sports for The News-Herald, it's no exaggeration to say it's easily one of the most inspiring and emotional moments I have ever seen in any sport at this level.

Around the state, many media outlets, including The News-Herald, mentioned this incredible moment in their coverage, with similar sentiments to those expressed here. Vogel commented on her generous act to the Springfield News-Sun, telling the newspaper, "Helping (McMath) across the finish line was a lot more satisfying than winning the state championship."

Meghan, likely speaking for anyone who was there and anyone who will hear about this moment in the coming days, you're a two-time state champion in 2012 as far as we're all concerned.


- Chris Lillstrung | @CLillstrungNH

Before the month of June is complete, we should know the specifics of the format for the much-discussed creation of a college football playoff.

Most predict it will be a four-team format, with the No. 1 seed playing the No. 4 seed, and 2 playing 3, with the winners advancing to the national championship game.

Whatever decision is made for the playoff, it won't be implemented until the 2014 season. Why wait?
Nov. 3 of this season is shaping up as the day of the year in college football.

Preseason polls will shortly be popping up everywhere and the consensus top four in the nation, in no order, seems to be Alabama, LSU, USC and Oregon.

As fate would have it, those four teams will face off on Nov. 3, which seems only fitting. November is the money month for teams with hopes of winning a national championship.

On that day, Alabama plays at LSU with an 8 p.m. start time on CBS, and Oregon visits Heisman favorite Matt Barkley and USC. A start time hasn't been determined, but expect ABC/ESPN to make that a prime time game.

That might be the only drawback of two marquee games on the same day, but for those who can't wait until 2014 for a playoff in college football, Nov. 3 might be as close as we get until then.

- Mark Podolski | @mpodo

I’m trying to find out who is criticizing UCLA for awarding Justin Combs, son of Sean Diddy Combs, a football scholarship.

I first saw the topic on Thursday's "Pardon the Interruption,” when the hosts, Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser, blasted the unidentified critics.

For the record, I agree with "PTI." Justin Combs should keep it. But I still want to know who thinks UCLA should give it to someone else. Because for all the backlash on TV and the Internet, there has been little mention of whom the commentators are arguing against.

Plenty of websites and tweeters are referring to the Internet blowing up (Forbes), a fuse to an online public debate (Los Angeles Times) and a lot of scrutiny (Bleacherreport).

But only one cultivated a specific example.

KLTA-TV 2, CBS’ Los Angeles affiliate, aired a story about Combs’ scholarship with some man-on-the-street reactions. Student Neshemah Keetin said: “UCLA’s athletic department needs to consider the fact that perhaps there is another athlete on the football team who could perhaps really use this scholarship.”

That’s it? One student giving an opinion while walking across campus is causing the Internet to blow up with public debate and a lot of scrutiny? 

Chances are you’ve been the subject of a crowd-sourcing story like this before. A reporter from a media outlet stops you out of the blue and asks you about the topic of the day. You think about it for about 5 seconds, mutter through a few sentences and move on.

Not in this case. Keetin is apparently the “some” and “critics” all the tweeters and bloggers are referring to, because they’re not citing anyone else. Not hundreds or thousands of people. Just her.

This is a controversy that should have never existed, but people piling on to the non-existent opposition have made it into one.

This situation was best summarized by the headline on a blog by SB Nation’s Jason Kirk: “P. Diddy's Son Should Give Back His UCLA Scholarship, Says Pretty Much Nobody.”

-         -  Howard Primer