Story by NU Athletic Communications

Following are statements from University of Nebraska
  Interim President Chris Kabourek and Athletic Director Trev Alberts on AD
  Alberts’ decision to accept the same position at Texas A&amp;M University.

University
of Nebraska Interim President Chris Kabourek:

“A
short time ago, Trev Alberts informed me that he has accepted the athletic
director position at Texas A&amp;M, effective Friday.

I’m
disappointed to see Trev leave, but I am grateful for his 15 years of service
to the University of Nebraska. Both the Mavericks and the Huskers achieved
great things under Trev’s leadership and we wish him and his family all the
best.

We
have incredible momentum in Husker Athletics thanks to the hard work and
dedication of all our staff, coaches and student-athletes. We will not hit
pause. As I’ve said many times, I’ve never been more excited about the future
of the University of Nebraska and the opportunities we have to work together
toward our vision to compete at the highest levels in all facets. I have full
confidence we will find a visionary leader who will build on Trev’s great work
and keep the Huskers at the forefront in this changing landscape for college
athletics.

In
the meantime, my immediate focus is on doing everything I can to support our
student-athletes, coaches and staff. I intend to name an interim AD very soon
and will quickly begin the process for a national search for our next leader.”

“Earlier
today, I informed Interim President Kabourek that I will be resigning my
position as Director of Athletics to accept the same role at Texas A&amp;M. I
recognize that the timing of this change is not ideal, and I apologize in
advance for any negative impact that it might have.

I
am grateful for the 15 years that I had the privilege to serve both the
University of Nebraska-Omaha and my alma mater, UNL. My family and I want to
say thank you for all the special memories that we were able to create
together.

Nebraska
is well positioned for the evolving changes within our industry. Tough
decisions will need to be made and unity of vision and high execution will be
necessary, but I am confident that leadership in Nebraska will rise to the
occasion. 

Nebraska Athletics is full of high character,
hardworking and talented staff, and coaches. It was an honor to get to partner
with them as we experienced unprecedented success.”

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsFollowing are statements from University of Nebraska
 Interim President Chris Kabourek and Athletic Director Trev Alberts on AD
 Alberts’ decision to accept the same position at Texas A&amp;M University.University
of Nebraska Interim President Chris Kabourek:“A
short time ago, Trev Alberts informed me that he has accepted the athletic
director position at Texas A&amp;M, effective Friday.I’m
disappointed to see Trev leave, but I am grateful for his 15 years of service
to the University of Nebraska. Both the Mavericks and the Huskers achieved
great things under Trev’s leadership and we wish him and his family all the
best.We
have incredible momentum in Husker Athletics thanks to the hard work and
dedication of all our staff, coaches and student-athletes. We will not hit
pause. As I’ve said many times, I’ve never been more excited about the future
of the University of Nebraska and the opportunities we have to work together
toward our vision to compete at the highest levels in all facets. I have full
confidence we will find a visionary leader who will build on Trev’s great work
and keep the Huskers at the forefront in this changing landscape for college
athletics.In
the meantime, my immediate focus is on doing everything I can to support our
student-athletes, coaches and staff. I intend to name an interim AD very soon
and will quickly begin the process for a national search for our next leader.”Athletic Director Trev Alberts:“Earlier
today, I informed Interim President Kabourek that I will be resigning my
position as Director of Athletics to accept the same role at Texas A&amp;M. I
recognize that the timing of this change is not ideal, and I apologize in
advance for any negative impact that it might have.I
am grateful for the 15 years that I had the privilege to serve both the
University of Nebraska-Omaha and my alma mater, UNL. My family and I want to
say thank you for all the special memories that we were able to create
together.Nebraska
is well positioned for the evolving changes within our industry. Tough
decisions will need to be made and unity of vision and high execution will be
necessary, but I am confident that leadership in Nebraska will rise to the
occasion. Nebraska Athletics is full of high character,
hardworking and talented staff, and coaches. It was an honor to get to partner
with them as we experienced unprecedented success.”

Statement from University of Nebraska Leadership on Trev Alberts’ Departure for Texas A&M

Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts has not made a final decision on whether to accept the athletic director's job at Texas A&amp;M, his top assistant said Wednesday.

Texas A&amp;M was close to hiring Alberts, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was still being finalized.

But executive associate athletic director Doug Ewald told the AP that Alberts was still considering the offer as of early Wednesday afternoon.

“The decision is still to be made,” Ewald said.

Alberts did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

Alberts would replace Ross Bjork, who was A&amp;M's athletic director for five years before recently being hired away by Ohio State.

Alberts signed a contract extension through 2031 last July, and Nebraska would be owed $4.120 million in damages if he were to resign this year. His annual base salary this year is $1.7 million.

Alberts was an All-America linebacker for the Cornhuskers’ football team in the early 1990s, was the fifth overall pick in the 1994 NFL draft and retired in 1997 after three injury-plagued seasons for the Indianapolis Colts.

He went into athletic administration after a stint as a TV college football analyst. He was athletic director at Nebraska-Omaha from 2009 until his hiring at Nebraska in July 2021.

“Other than my faith and my family, everything I have materially and otherwise is a result of an opportunity to be a student at the University of Nebraska,” he said at the time. “I don’t take this responsibility lightly.”

Alberts' overarching task at Nebraska was to revive a football program that had fallen on hard times in the two decades since its dominant run through the 1990s.

He fired coach Scott Frost in 2022 and brought in Matt Rhule, a popular hire who will be entering his second season. He also oversaw fund-raising for a $175 million football building and last year announced plans for a $450 million renovation of Memorial Stadium.

News of Alberts' possible departure caught Nebraska executive-level athletic department staffers by surprise.

If Alberts' hiring at Texas A&amp;M were finalized, it would mark the third recent departure of a key leader in Nebraska’s university system. President Ted Carter was hired as Ohio State’s president last August, and his successor still has not been named. Ronnie Green, who had been chancellor of the flagship Lincoln campus, announced his retirement 15 months ago and Rodney Bennett replaced him last summer.

Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts has not made a final decision on whether to accept the athletic director's job at Texas A&amp;M, his top assistant said Wednesday.Texas A&amp;M was close to hiring Alberts, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was still being finalized.But executive associate athletic director Doug Ewald told the AP that Alberts was still considering the offer as of early Wednesday afternoon.“The decision is still to be made,” Ewald said.Alberts did not respond to a text message seeking comment.Alberts would replace Ross Bjork, who was A&amp;M's athletic director for five years before recently being hired away by Ohio State.Alberts signed a contract extension through 2031 last July, and Nebraska would be owed $4.120 million in damages if he were to resign this year. His annual base salary this year is $1.7 million.Alberts was an All-America linebacker for the Cornhuskers’ football team in the early 1990s, was the fifth overall pick in the 1994 NFL draft and retired in 1997 after three injury-plagued seasons for the Indianapolis Colts.He went into athletic administration after a stint as a TV college football analyst. He was athletic director at Nebraska-Omaha from 2009 until his hiring at Nebraska in July 2021.“Other than my faith and my family, everything I have materially and otherwise is a result of an opportunity to be a student at the University of Nebraska,” he said at the time. “I don’t take this responsibility lightly.”Alberts' overarching task at Nebraska was to revive a football program that had fallen on hard times in the two decades since its dominant run through the 1990s.He fired coach Scott Frost in 2022 and brought in Matt Rhule, a popular hire who will be entering his second season. He also oversaw fund-raising for a $175 million football building and last year announced plans for a $450 million renovation of Memorial Stadium.News of Alberts' possible departure caught Nebraska executive-level athletic department staffers by surprise.If Alberts' hiring at Texas A&amp;M were finalized, it would mark the third recent departure of a key leader in Nebraska’s university system. President Ted Carter was hired as Ohio State’s president last August, and his successor still has not been named. Ronnie Green, who had been chancellor of the flagship Lincoln campus, announced his retirement 15 months ago and Rodney Bennett replaced him last summer.

Report: Husker Athletic Director Trev Alberts mulling move to Texas A&M

On Monday, Hemingford Senior Theron Miller signed with Chadron State College for football and Track &amp; Field.

He sat down with KCOW Sports Director Alex Benzegala for the Post Podcast to discuss his signing and his Senior year. Hemingford Activities Director News Director Todd Westover also discussed Miller and his signing.

On Monday, Hemingford Senior Theron Miller signed with Chadron State College for football and Track &amp; Field.He sat down with KCOW Sports Director Alex Benzegala for the Post Podcast to discuss his signing and his Senior year. Hemingford Activities Director News Director Todd Westover also discussed Miller and his signing.<div><iframe title="POST PODCAST: Theron Miller talks Signing to CSC" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=4ai3k-15ab8dd-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

Hemingford's Theron Miller talks signing with CSC

By: Con Marshall CSC Sports Information

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Both of last year’s winners repeated as the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s playoff champions during the last weekend. Regis won the women’s title and Fort Lewis took the men’s crown.&nbsp; Both were seeded second when the playoffs began.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Regis Rangers’ closest game in the playoffs was in the opening round—a 61-58 win over Colorado Christian. After that Regis knocked off Adams State 67-47 and Colorado-Colorado Springs 76-64 in the finals.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the championship game, the Rangers were led by Josey Ryan’s 31 points. She used her final year of eligibility at Regis this season, three years after last playing basketball at Wayne State. She was named the playoff’s MVP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Colorado Mesa, one of the four teams to tie for first place in the RMAC’s regular season competition, all with 18-4 records, was upset 66-57 in the opening round of the playoffs by No. 8 seed Colorado State-Pueblo.&nbsp; That’s largely because Pueblo’s Alisha Little scored 20 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked eight shots.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the men’s bracket, Fort Lewis repeated as the playoff winner. Again, the Skyhawks’ first game was their closest.&nbsp; They beat Pueblo 102-96, then took out Colorado Mines 87-75 and bested Colorado Mesa 86-75 in the title tilt.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Skyhawks were led in the final game by 6-3 junior Obi Agbim’s career-high 33 points on 10-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-4 on 3-pointers, and 9-of-11 at the free throw line. He was named the playoff’s MVP.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mesa’s Trevor Baskin also had a red-hot game. He made 9-of-10 field goal shots, including 4-of-5 from behind the arc.&nbsp; Forty-two of the Mavericks’ 63 field goal attempts were 3-pointers.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Seven RMAC teams will be playing in the South Central Region Playoffs in Texas this weekend. They include the four women’s teams that tied for the conference championship—Regis, Mesa, Colorado Mines and Adams State—and three men’s quintets—Mesa, Fort Lewis and Mines.

No. 8 CSU-Pueblo 66, No. 1 Colorado Mesa 57

No. 2 Regis 61, No. 7, Colorado Christian 58

No. 3 Adams State 83, No. 6 Black Hills State 63

No. 4 Colorado Springs 71, Colorado Mines 65

No. 1 Colorado Mesa 84, No. 8 Chadron State 74

No. 2 Fort Lewis 102, No, 7 CSU-Pueblo 96

No. 4 Black Hills State 74, No. 5 Metro State 72

No. 1 Colorado Mesa 86, Black Hills State 58

No. 2 Fort Lewis 87, No. 3, Colorado Mines 73.

No. 2 Fort Lewis 86, No. 1 Colorado Mesa 75

No. 3 Regis (26-5) vs. No. 6 Texas-Tyler (25-8)

No. 2 Colorado Mesa (24-6) vs. No. 7 Lubbock Christian 21-9)

No. 1 Texas Women’s (29-4) vs. No. 8 Colorado Mines (21-8)

No. 4 Texas Permian Basin (24-7) vs. No. 5 Adams State (24-8)

No. 1 West Texas A&amp;M (26-4) vs. No. 8 Angelo State (19-10)

No. 4 Dallas Baptist (24-5) vs. No. 5 Colorado Mines (24-8)

No. 2 Fort Lewis (28-3) vs. No. 7 Lubbock Christian (23-10)

No. 3 Colorado Mesa (27-4) vs. No. 6 Eastern New Mexico (22-9)

By: Con Marshall CSC Sports Information&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Both of last year’s winners repeated as the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s playoff champions during the last weekend. Regis won the women’s title and Fort Lewis took the men’s crown.&nbsp; Both were seeded second when the playoffs began.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Regis Rangers’ closest game in the playoffs was in the opening round—a 61-58 win over Colorado Christian. After that Regis knocked off Adams State 67-47 and Colorado-Colorado Springs 76-64 in the finals.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the championship game, the Rangers were led by Josey Ryan’s 31 points. She used her final year of eligibility at Regis this season, three years after last playing basketball at Wayne State. She was named the playoff’s MVP.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Colorado Mesa, one of the four teams to tie for first place in the RMAC’s regular season competition, all with 18-4 records, was upset 66-57 in the opening round of the playoffs by No. 8 seed Colorado State-Pueblo.&nbsp; That’s largely because Pueblo’s Alisha Little scored 20 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked eight shots.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the men’s bracket, Fort Lewis repeated as the playoff winner. Again, the Skyhawks’ first game was their closest.&nbsp; They beat Pueblo 102-96, then took out Colorado Mines 87-75 and bested Colorado Mesa 86-75 in the title tilt.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Skyhawks were led in the final game by 6-3 junior Obi Agbim’s career-high 33 points on 10-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-4 on 3-pointers, and 9-of-11 at the free throw line. He was named the playoff’s MVP.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mesa’s Trevor Baskin also had a red-hot game. He made 9-of-10 field goal shots, including 4-of-5 from behind the arc.&nbsp; Forty-two of the Mavericks’ 63 field goal attempts were 3-pointers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Seven RMAC teams will be playing in the South Central Region Playoffs in Texas this weekend. They include the four women’s teams that tied for the conference championship—Regis, Mesa, Colorado Mines and Adams State—and three men’s quintets—Mesa, Fort Lewis and Mines.<h2>RMAC Women’s Playoff Results</h2>First RoundNo. 8 CSU-Pueblo 66, No. 1 Colorado Mesa 57No. 2 Regis 61, No. 7, Colorado Christian 58No. 3 Adams State 83, No. 6 Black Hills State 63No. 4 Colorado Springs 71, Colorado Mines 65SemifinalsNo. 2 Regis 67, No. 3 Adams State 47No. 4 Colorado Springs 58, CSU Pueblo 54ChampionshipNo. 2 Regis 76, Colorado Springs 64<h2>RMAC Men’s Playoff Results</h2>First RoundNo. 1 Colorado Mesa 84, No. 8 Chadron State 74No. 2 Fort Lewis 102, No, 7 CSU-Pueblo 96No. 3 Colorado Mines 90, No. 6 Regis 71No. 4 Black Hills State 74, No. 5 Metro State 72SemifinalsNo. 1 Colorado Mesa 86, Black Hills State 58No. 2 Fort Lewis 87, No. 3, Colorado Mines 73.ChampionshipNo. 2 Fort Lewis 86, No. 1 Colorado Mesa 75<h2>South Central Region Playoffs</h2>Women’s Games, Friday, March 15No. 3 Regis (26-5) vs. No. 6 Texas-Tyler (25-8)No. 2 Colorado Mesa (24-6) vs. No. 7 Lubbock Christian 21-9)No. 1 Texas Women’s (29-4) vs. No. 8 Colorado Mines (21-8)No. 4 Texas Permian Basin (24-7) vs. No. 5 Adams State (24-8)Men’s Games, Friday, March 15No. 1 West Texas A&amp;M (26-4) vs. No. 8 Angelo State (19-10)No. 4 Dallas Baptist (24-5) vs. No. 5 Colorado Mines (24-8)No. 2 Fort Lewis (28-3) vs. No. 7 Lubbock Christian (23-10)No. 3 Colorado Mesa (27-4) vs. No. 6 Eastern New Mexico (22-9)

RMAC Tourney recap & where the league has landed in  D2 NCAA Tournaments

Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket

Game 1 (#12 Maryland vs. #13 Rutgers) – 5:30 p.m. CT (Peacock)

Game 2 (#11 Penn State vs. #14 Michigan) – 25 minutes following Game 1 (Peacock)

Game 3 (#8 Michigan State vs. #9 Minnesota) – 11 a.m. CT (BTN)

Game 4 (#5 Wisconsin vs. Game 1 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 3 (BTN)

Game 5 (#7 Iowa vs. #10 Ohio State ) – 5:30 p.m. CT (BTN)

Game 6 (#6 Indiana vs. Game 2 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 5 (BTN)

Game 7 (#1 Purdue vs. Game 3 winner) – 11 a.m. CT (BTN)

Game 8 (#4 Northwestern vs. Game 4 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 7 (BTN)

Game 9 (#2 Illinois vs. Game 5 winner) – 5:30 p.m. CT (BTN)

Game 10 (#3 Nebraska vs. Game 6 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 9 (BTN)

Game 11 (Game 7 vs. Game 8 winner) – 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Game 12 (Game 9 vs. Game 10 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 11 (CBS)

Game 13 (Game 11 vs. Game 12 winner) – 2:30 p.m. CT (CBS)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710261982776.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket</h2>Source: Big Ten Conference<h2>Wednesday, March 13 (First Round)</h2>Game 1 (#12 Maryland vs. #13 Rutgers) – 5:30 p.m. CT (Peacock)Game 2 (#11 Penn State vs. #14 Michigan) – 25 minutes following Game 1 (Peacock)<h2>Thursday, March 14 (Second Round)</h2>Game 3 (#8 Michigan State vs. #9 Minnesota) – 11 a.m. CT (BTN)Game 4 (#5 Wisconsin vs. Game 1 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 3 (BTN)Game 5 (#7 Iowa vs. #10 Ohio State ) – 5:30 p.m. CT (BTN)Game 6 (#6 Indiana vs. Game 2 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 5 (BTN)<h2>Friday, March 15 (Quarterfinals)</h2>Game 7 (#1 Purdue vs. Game 3 winner) – 11 a.m. CT (BTN)Game 8 (#4 Northwestern vs. Game 4 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 7 (BTN)Game 9 (#2 Illinois vs. Game 5 winner) – 5:30 p.m. CT (BTN)Game 10 (#3 Nebraska vs. Game 6 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 9 (BTN)<h2>Saturday, March 16 (Semifinals)</h2>Game 11 (Game 7 vs. Game 8 winner) – 12 p.m. CT (CBS)Game 12 (Game 9 vs. Game 10 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 11 (CBS)<h2>Sunday, March 17 (Championship)</h2>Game 13 (Game 11 vs. Game 12 winner) – 2:30 p.m. CT (CBS)

Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket - Time & TV Details

LAKE ST. LOUIS, Mo. (AP) — Former New York Mets and Yankees star Darryl Strawberry is recovering from a heart attack and is at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital.

Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Tuesday that Strawberry was stricken Monday, a day before the eight-time All-Star's 62nd birthday.

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4ZjAOEOH8w/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">Strawberry posted a photo of himself at the hospital on Instagram</a>&nbsp;and wrote: “I am so happy and honored to report that all is well.”

“So thankful for the medical team and staff at St. Joseph West in Lake St. Louis for responding so quickly and bringing me through a stent-procedure that has brought my heart to total restoration!!!” Strawberry added.

Strawberry, who lives in O'Fallon, Missouri, is resting comfortably, Horwitz said.

The Mets will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strawberry-gooden-mets-retired-numbers-2ca1f080014f65521a1f0cfe9a2b403a">retire Strawberry’s No. 18</a>&nbsp;on June 1, after retiring Dwight Gooden’s No. 16 on April 14. The pair led the team to the 1986 World Series title.

“We are looking forward to Straw’s speedy recovery and welcoming him for his number retirement ceremony on June 1," Mets owner Steven Cohen and wife Alex said in a statement.

Strawberry was a seven-time All-Star during his time with the Mets from 1983-90, winning NL Rookie of the Year in 1983.

He hit .259 with 335 homers, 1,000 RBIs and 221 stolen bases in 17 seasons that also included time with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1991-93), San Francisco Giants (1994) and New York Yankees (1995-99). He was a part of three World Series championship teams with the Yankees.

Strawberry's career was derailed by drug and alcohol issues, and also by colon cancer treatment that caused him to miss the 1998 World Series.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710261816765.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LAKE ST. LOUIS, Mo. (AP) — Former New York Mets and Yankees star Darryl Strawberry is recovering from a heart attack and is at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital.Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Tuesday that Strawberry was stricken Monday, a day before the eight-time All-Star's 62nd birthday.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4ZjAOEOH8w/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">Strawberry posted a photo of himself at the hospital on Instagram</a>&nbsp;and wrote: “I am so happy and honored to report that all is well.”“So thankful for the medical team and staff at St. Joseph West in Lake St. Louis for responding so quickly and bringing me through a stent-procedure that has brought my heart to total restoration!!!” Strawberry added.Strawberry, who lives in O'Fallon, Missouri, is resting comfortably, Horwitz said.The Mets will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strawberry-gooden-mets-retired-numbers-2ca1f080014f65521a1f0cfe9a2b403a">retire Strawberry’s No. 18</a>&nbsp;on June 1, after retiring Dwight Gooden’s No. 16 on April 14. The pair led the team to the 1986 World Series title.“We are looking forward to Straw’s speedy recovery and welcoming him for his number retirement ceremony on June 1," Mets owner Steven Cohen and wife Alex said in a statement.Strawberry was a seven-time All-Star during his time with the Mets from 1983-90, winning NL Rookie of the Year in 1983.He hit .259 with 335 homers, 1,000 RBIs and 221 stolen bases in 17 seasons that also included time with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1991-93), San Francisco Giants (1994) and New York Yankees (1995-99). He was a part of three World Series championship teams with the Yankees.Strawberry's career was derailed by drug and alcohol issues, and also by colon cancer treatment that caused him to miss the 1998 World Series.

Mets legend Darryl Strawberry resting comfortably after heart attack

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Jody Mikhail was a sophomore at Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley High School when a poster for a new girls’ wrestling club caught her eye. So Mikhail, a senior now, tried the sport.

“I fell in love with it the first time,” she said.

Unlike previous generations, she's hardly alone.

Girls’ wrestling has become the fastest-growing high school sport in the country, sanctioned by a surging number of states and bolstered by a movement of medal-winning female wrestlers, parents and the male-dominated ranks of coaches and administrators who saw it as a necessity and a matter of equality.

Where once girls wrestled on boys teams and against boys, increasingly they are wrestling on girls teams and against girls. And now that they are wrestling in sanctioned and official tournaments against girls, their names are going onto plaques on their high schools’ walls and into state record books.

This year, Kentucky, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania held their first state-sanctioned girls' wrestling championships, while Louisiana became the 45th state to sanction the sport. At the collegiate level, women’s wrestling is designated as an “emerging” sport and is on track to become a championship-level sport in 2026,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/womens-wrestling-9eaa33692cb53e3e5f81ea248d01621d">the NCAA said</a>.

In Pennsylvania — where the Penn State men are ranked No. 1 and the state’s male and female wrestlers dominated last year’s 16-and-under national team championships — the number of girl wrestlers in high schools nearly doubled this year as the state rocketed to more than 180 high school teams from none in 2020.

Hundreds of girls competed in Pennsylvania’s first sanctioned state tournament, including Mikhail, after years of girls having no choice but to wrestle boys or, if they did wrestle girls, seeing the same handful of faces, year after year, in tournaments organized by local wrestling organizations.

Even for girls who compete nationally or hope to wrestle in college, wrestling in state-sanctioned tournaments brings status.

“It really does bring this level of, I think, having these girls feel seen,” said Brooke Zumas, a former wrestling coach who was active in the movement to get the sport sanctioned in Pennsylvania.

Girls who have competed for years are seeing new faces and big crowds in this year’s state-sanctioned championship tournaments.

“There were never tournaments like this,” said Savannah Witt, a state champion wrestler from Pennsylvania’s Palisades High School who has wrestled for 10 years. “It’s awesome to see. I’ve been used to running into the same, like, three faces at tournaments. Now you come here, I’m like, ‘I don’t know half these girls.’”

Over the past decade, the number of high school girls’ teams quadrupled nationally and the number of girls wrestling in high school quintupled to over 50,000 through last year, according to figures from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Last year alone, it shot up nearly 60%, the biggest increase for the sport in decades.

Still, the number of girls wrestling in high school was one-fifth of the number of boys last year and the 14th biggest by participation, trailing the stalwarts of American girls' athletics — track and field, volleyball, soccer, basketball and softball — but also tennis, swimming, golf, lacrosse, cross country and cheerleading.

Another leap will likely vault girls’ wrestling past field hockey.

Wrestling is something of a niche sport: it has arcane rules and lacks a mass media presence that helps stoke interest. For many, it takes a family tradition, a brother or a proselytizing coach. And wrestlers and coaches describe it as a sport daunting for its extreme physicality — but a sport that is unmatched in teaching inner strength and discipline.

Some see the rise of girls’ wrestling as part of a larger arc in women’s sports: the U.S. women’s national soccer team has captured the nation’s attention and the Big Ten’s women’s basketball tournament sold out after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caitlin-clark-iowa-12e078352a92fe2effb307888775cdb0">Caitlin Clark</a>&nbsp;smashed the women’s NCAA scoring record.

“When women first had a chance to participate in sports in an organized fashion, it was in sports that were considered feminine,” said Jackie Paquette, who two years ago became the first female executive at the National Wrestling Coaches Association. “It was tennis, it was golf, it was swimming. It was considered graceful. Wrestling is the opposite of that in a sense, so it has been hard for some to accept women in that form. But we are finding out now that the world is changing.”

Still, boosters say wrestling is accessible: there’s a weight class for every body type, there are fewer competing winter sports and all a wrestler needs is a pair of wrestling shoes.

In 1990, barely over 100 girls were on high school rosters in the entire country, and before 2018 just six states had sanctioned it.

In 2016, national champion wrestler Sally Roberts founded the advocacy organization Wrestle Like a Girl and began talking to USA Wrestling, the National Wrestling Coaches Association and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame — male-dominated organizations that nevertheless got on board for girls’ wrestling.

Something else happened that year: American wrestler Helen Maroulis scored a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/usas-maroulis-tops-3-time-womens-wrestling-champ-yoshida-b19507c1036e4945ad475a816e381667">shocking victory</a>&nbsp;at the Rio De Janeiro Olympics to win a gold medal — the first ever for an American in women’s wrestling.

“Other girls said, ‘I want to be her,’” Roberts said.

Parents and coaches lobbied school boards and athletic directors and recruited girls in their schools. James Stettler, a teacher and a wrestling coach in Pennsylvania’s Central Dauphin district, recalled going to back-to-school nights to hand out fliers to parents.

“Whenever I try to sell them I’m like, ‘Oh, you look like a family that has a future wrestler in your family.’ And they’ll go, ’Oh, no, I have a daughter.′ And I go, ‘Well, that’s great, we have a girls program,’” said Stettler, a former high school wrestler whose 13-year-old daughter, Abby, and two sons wrestle.

The minds of some parents took changing. Some parents didn’t want their daughters wrestling boys. Some didn't want their girls wrestling, period.

Leah Wright, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, recalled how her daughter asked to start wrestling after seeing her older brother wrestle. Wright’s husband, who wrestled growing up, said no — but it began a conversation in the household that changed his mind.

“That has definitely shifted, where fathers who wrestled are introducing their daughters to this sport and having this connection through the sport,” Wright said.

Some who watched Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts saw Sara McMann and Tatiana Suarez — collegiate wrestlers who won medals in international competition, including McMann’s silver medal at the 2004 Olympics.

“And they’d look at their daughters and say, ‘Oh, do you want to wrestle?’” Roberts said.

Some never thought it would be sanctioned.

That includes Serge Bouyssou, who recalled the vile things that coaches and parents said to his daughter when she wrestled in high school before graduating more than a decade ago.

“You thought people are never going to give in to the fact that girls are more than capable of participating in this sport,” said Bouyssou, who last month coached girl wrestlers from Scituate High School in Rhode Island’s first sanctioned state tournament.

Gary Abbott, of USA Wrestling, said wrestling is growing quickly at the youth level, too, and the organization is encouraged by its highest Olympic medal count ever for women — four — in 2021. USA Wrestling hopes to see a day when as many girls are wrestling as there are boys, Abbott said.

In perhaps a decade or two, a new generation of mothers who wrestled on girls teams in sanctioned tournaments may teach their daughters to wrestle.

“It’s really good for girls, especially that are new to the sport, to see like that’s how it should be,” said Aubre Krazer, a state champion and senior at Pennsylvania’s Easton Area High School. “It’s very organized. ... It’s nice to see that, especially for the upcoming generations, it’s going to be better for them than it was for us. And that’s what I would want for them.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710261647971.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Jody Mikhail was a sophomore at Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley High School when a poster for a new girls’ wrestling club caught her eye. So Mikhail, a senior now, tried the sport.“I fell in love with it the first time,” she said.Unlike previous generations, she's hardly alone.Girls’ wrestling has become the fastest-growing high school sport in the country, sanctioned by a surging number of states and bolstered by a movement of medal-winning female wrestlers, parents and the male-dominated ranks of coaches and administrators who saw it as a necessity and a matter of equality.Where once girls wrestled on boys teams and against boys, increasingly they are wrestling on girls teams and against girls. And now that they are wrestling in sanctioned and official tournaments against girls, their names are going onto plaques on their high schools’ walls and into state record books.This year, Kentucky, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania held their first state-sanctioned girls' wrestling championships, while Louisiana became the 45th state to sanction the sport. At the collegiate level, women’s wrestling is designated as an “emerging” sport and is on track to become a championship-level sport in 2026,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/womens-wrestling-9eaa33692cb53e3e5f81ea248d01621d">the NCAA said</a>.A rapidly growing sportIn Pennsylvania — where the Penn State men are ranked No. 1 and the state’s male and female wrestlers dominated last year’s 16-and-under national team championships — the number of girl wrestlers in high schools nearly doubled this year as the state rocketed to more than 180 high school teams from none in 2020.Hundreds of girls competed in Pennsylvania’s first sanctioned state tournament, including Mikhail, after years of girls having no choice but to wrestle boys or, if they did wrestle girls, seeing the same handful of faces, year after year, in tournaments organized by local wrestling organizations.Even for girls who compete nationally or hope to wrestle in college, wrestling in state-sanctioned tournaments brings status.“It really does bring this level of, I think, having these girls feel seen,” said Brooke Zumas, a former wrestling coach who was active in the movement to get the sport sanctioned in Pennsylvania.Girls who have competed for years are seeing new faces and big crowds in this year’s state-sanctioned championship tournaments.“There were never tournaments like this,” said Savannah Witt, a state champion wrestler from Pennsylvania’s Palisades High School who has wrestled for 10 years. “It’s awesome to see. I’ve been used to running into the same, like, three faces at tournaments. Now you come here, I’m like, ‘I don’t know half these girls.’”Over the past decade, the number of high school girls’ teams quadrupled nationally and the number of girls wrestling in high school quintupled to over 50,000 through last year, according to figures from the National Federation of State High School Associations.Last year alone, it shot up nearly 60%, the biggest increase for the sport in decades.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710261684017.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Still, the number of girls wrestling in high school was one-fifth of the number of boys last year and the 14th biggest by participation, trailing the stalwarts of American girls' athletics — track and field, volleyball, soccer, basketball and softball — but also tennis, swimming, golf, lacrosse, cross country and cheerleading.Another leap will likely vault girls’ wrestling past field hockey.‘The world is changing’Wrestling is something of a niche sport: it has arcane rules and lacks a mass media presence that helps stoke interest. For many, it takes a family tradition, a brother or a proselytizing coach. And wrestlers and coaches describe it as a sport daunting for its extreme physicality — but a sport that is unmatched in teaching inner strength and discipline.Some see the rise of girls’ wrestling as part of a larger arc in women’s sports: the U.S. women’s national soccer team has captured the nation’s attention and the Big Ten’s women’s basketball tournament sold out after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caitlin-clark-iowa-12e078352a92fe2effb307888775cdb0">Caitlin Clark</a>&nbsp;smashed the women’s NCAA scoring record.“When women first had a chance to participate in sports in an organized fashion, it was in sports that were considered feminine,” said Jackie Paquette, who two years ago became the first female executive at the National Wrestling Coaches Association. “It was tennis, it was golf, it was swimming. It was considered graceful. Wrestling is the opposite of that in a sense, so it has been hard for some to accept women in that form. But we are finding out now that the world is changing.”Still, boosters say wrestling is accessible: there’s a weight class for every body type, there are fewer competing winter sports and all a wrestler needs is a pair of wrestling shoes.In 1990, barely over 100 girls were on high school rosters in the entire country, and before 2018 just six states had sanctioned it.In 2016, national champion wrestler Sally Roberts founded the advocacy organization Wrestle Like a Girl and began talking to USA Wrestling, the National Wrestling Coaches Association and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame — male-dominated organizations that nevertheless got on board for girls’ wrestling.Something else happened that year: American wrestler Helen Maroulis scored a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/usas-maroulis-tops-3-time-womens-wrestling-champ-yoshida-b19507c1036e4945ad475a816e381667">shocking victory</a>&nbsp;at the Rio De Janeiro Olympics to win a gold medal — the first ever for an American in women’s wrestling.“Other girls said, ‘I want to be her,’” Roberts said.Changing minds and stereotypesParents and coaches lobbied school boards and athletic directors and recruited girls in their schools. James Stettler, a teacher and a wrestling coach in Pennsylvania’s Central Dauphin district, recalled going to back-to-school nights to hand out fliers to parents.“Whenever I try to sell them I’m like, ‘Oh, you look like a family that has a future wrestler in your family.’ And they’ll go, ’Oh, no, I have a daughter.′ And I go, ‘Well, that’s great, we have a girls program,’” said Stettler, a former high school wrestler whose 13-year-old daughter, Abby, and two sons wrestle.The minds of some parents took changing. Some parents didn’t want their daughters wrestling boys. Some didn't want their girls wrestling, period.Leah Wright, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, recalled how her daughter asked to start wrestling after seeing her older brother wrestle. Wright’s husband, who wrestled growing up, said no — but it began a conversation in the household that changed his mind.“That has definitely shifted, where fathers who wrestled are introducing their daughters to this sport and having this connection through the sport,” Wright said.Some who watched Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts saw Sara McMann and Tatiana Suarez — collegiate wrestlers who won medals in international competition, including McMann’s silver medal at the 2004 Olympics.“And they’d look at their daughters and say, ‘Oh, do you want to wrestle?’” Roberts said.Some never thought it would be sanctioned.That includes Serge Bouyssou, who recalled the vile things that coaches and parents said to his daughter when she wrestled in high school before graduating more than a decade ago.“You thought people are never going to give in to the fact that girls are more than capable of participating in this sport,” said Bouyssou, who last month coached girl wrestlers from Scituate High School in Rhode Island’s first sanctioned state tournament.Gary Abbott, of USA Wrestling, said wrestling is growing quickly at the youth level, too, and the organization is encouraged by its highest Olympic medal count ever for women — four — in 2021. USA Wrestling hopes to see a day when as many girls are wrestling as there are boys, Abbott said.In perhaps a decade or two, a new generation of mothers who wrestled on girls teams in sanctioned tournaments may teach their daughters to wrestle.“It’s really good for girls, especially that are new to the sport, to see like that’s how it should be,” said Aubre Krazer, a state champion and senior at Pennsylvania’s Easton Area High School. “It’s very organized. ... It’s nice to see that, especially for the upcoming generations, it’s going to be better for them than it was for us. And that’s what I would want for them.”

Girls are falling in love with wrestling, the nation's fastest-growing high school sport

Kelly Ann Strand fired rounds of 71 and 74 to close the opening day of the Briar's Creek Challenge in a tie for 15th to lead the Nebraska women's golf team in Johns Island, S.C., on Monday.

Strand, a sophomore from Challis, Idaho, began the day with a steady round of 71 that featured two birdies and 15 pars along with a single bogey on No. 16. Her second round included a birdie and 14 more pars, but also included a trio of bogeys. Her two-round total of 145 (+1) was good for a tie for 15th. She is just five strokes outside the top four players in a tight 104-player field.

With Strand leading the way, the Huskers enter Tuesday's final round in 11th place in a 17-team field filled with top-100 teams.

Junior Miu Takahashi added back-to-back rounds of 74 (+2) to close the day at 148 (+4) in a tie for 35th. Freshman Arden Louchheim contributed counting rounds to both of Nebraska's team scores by carding an opening-round 78 (+6) and a second-round 75 (+3). She ended the day at 153 (+9) in a tie for 67th with senior teammate Michaela Vavrova.

Vavrova opened with a 73 (+1) for Nebraska's second-best round of the day, before settling for an 80 in the second round.&nbsp;

Senior Lindsey Thiele contributed to the Husker team score with a 75 (+3) in the second round after opening the day with an 80. Thiele is tied for 77th individually at 155 (+11).

The Huskers managed team scores of 296 and 298 to head to the final round at 594 (+18) on the par-72, 6,152-yard layout of the Briar's Creek Golf Club.

Michigan State sits atop the team standings at 566 (-10) after rounds of 282 and 284. Illinois is six shots back in second at 572, while Rutgers is 15 strokes behind the Spartans in third at 581 (+5).

Michigan State's Katie Lu owns the top spot on the individual leader board at 136 (69-67), one shot ahead of Isabel Sy from Illinois (137) and two strokes in front of Spartan teammate Brooke Biermann in third (138).&nbsp;

Tuesday's final round at Briar's Creek begins with a shotgun start at 7:45 a.m. (CT). Live scoring from GolfStat will be available on Huskers.com.

Briar's Creek ChallengeMarch 11-12, 2024Johns Island, South CarolinaBriar's Creek Golf Club (Par 72, 6,152 Yards)

Team Standings (Two Rounds)1. Michigan State - 284-282=566 (-10)2. Illinois - 284-288=572 (-4)3. Rutgers - 291-290=581 (+5)4. UCF - 301-281=582 (+6)5. Florida - 290-293=583 (+7)6. NC State - 291-293-584 (+8)7. Boston College - 294-292=586 (+10)8. Purdue - 294-293=587 (+11)9. Campbell - 285-306=591 (+15)10. Miami - 294-298=592 (+16)11. Nebraska - 296-298=594 (+18)12. Georgetown - 293-302=595 (+19)13. College of Charleston - 305-293=598 (+22)14. Maryland - 299-300=599 (+23)15. Penn State - 305-296=601 (+25)16. Wisconsin - 299-304=603 (+27)17. Old Dominion - 297-309=606 (+30)

Individual Standings (Two Rounds)1. Katie Lu, Michigan State - 69-67=136 (-8)2. Isabel Sy, Illinois - 67-70=137 (-7)3. Brooke Biermann, Michigan State - 68-70=138 (-6)T4. Ines Archer, Florida - 70-70=140 (-4)T4. Leigha Devine, Rutgers - 69-71=140 (-4)6. Jade Gu, Purdue - 70-71=141 (-3)T7. Pimpisa Sisutham, UCF - 74-68=142 (-2)T7. Lexanne Halama, Illinois - 73-69=142 (-2)T7. Emily Bohrer, Boston College - 71-71=142 (-2)T10. Lauren Olivares Leon, NC State - 74-69=143 (-1)T10. Lucrezia Rossettin, Rutgers - 72-71=143 (-1)T10. Jasmine Kahler, Purdue - 72-71=143 (-1)&nbsp;

Nebraska IndividualsT15. Kelli Ann Strand - 71-74=145 (+1)T35. Miu Takahashi - 74-74=148 (+4)T67. Arden Louchheim - 78-75=153 (+9)T67. Michaela Vavrova - 73-80=153 (+9)T77. Lindsey Thiele - 80-75=155 (+11)*T98. Brooke Bream - 85-76=161 (+17)

* competing as an individual outside Nebraska's lineup

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsKelly Ann Strand fired rounds of 71 and 74 to close the opening day of the Briar's Creek Challenge in a tie for 15th to lead the Nebraska women's golf team in Johns Island, S.C., on Monday.Strand, a sophomore from Challis, Idaho, began the day with a steady round of 71 that featured two birdies and 15 pars along with a single bogey on No. 16. Her second round included a birdie and 14 more pars, but also included a trio of bogeys. Her two-round total of 145 (+1) was good for a tie for 15th. She is just five strokes outside the top four players in a tight 104-player field.With Strand leading the way, the Huskers enter Tuesday's final round in 11th place in a 17-team field filled with top-100 teams.Junior Miu Takahashi added back-to-back rounds of 74 (+2) to close the day at 148 (+4) in a tie for 35th. Freshman Arden Louchheim contributed counting rounds to both of Nebraska's team scores by carding an opening-round 78 (+6) and a second-round 75 (+3). She ended the day at 153 (+9) in a tie for 67th with senior teammate Michaela Vavrova.Vavrova opened with a 73 (+1) for Nebraska's second-best round of the day, before settling for an 80 in the second round.&nbsp;Senior Lindsey Thiele contributed to the Husker team score with a 75 (+3) in the second round after opening the day with an 80. Thiele is tied for 77th individually at 155 (+11).The Huskers managed team scores of 296 and 298 to head to the final round at 594 (+18) on the par-72, 6,152-yard layout of the Briar's Creek Golf Club.Michigan State sits atop the team standings at 566 (-10) after rounds of 282 and 284. Illinois is six shots back in second at 572, while Rutgers is 15 strokes behind the Spartans in third at 581 (+5).Michigan State's Katie Lu owns the top spot on the individual leader board at 136 (69-67), one shot ahead of Isabel Sy from Illinois (137) and two strokes in front of Spartan teammate Brooke Biermann in third (138).&nbsp;Tuesday's final round at Briar's Creek begins with a shotgun start at 7:45 a.m. (CT). Live scoring from GolfStat will be available on Huskers.com.Briar's Creek ChallengeMarch 11-12, 2024Johns Island, South CarolinaBriar's Creek Golf Club (Par 72, 6,152 Yards)Team Standings (Two Rounds)1. Michigan State - 284-282=566 (-10)2. Illinois - 284-288=572 (-4)3. Rutgers - 291-290=581 (+5)4. UCF - 301-281=582 (+6)5. Florida - 290-293=583 (+7)6. NC State - 291-293-584 (+8)7. Boston College - 294-292=586 (+10)8. Purdue - 294-293=587 (+11)9. Campbell - 285-306=591 (+15)10. Miami - 294-298=592 (+16)11. Nebraska - 296-298=594 (+18)12. Georgetown - 293-302=595 (+19)13. College of Charleston - 305-293=598 (+22)14. Maryland - 299-300=599 (+23)15. Penn State - 305-296=601 (+25)16. Wisconsin - 299-304=603 (+27)17. Old Dominion - 297-309=606 (+30)Individual Standings (Two Rounds)1. Katie Lu, Michigan State - 69-67=136 (-8)2. Isabel Sy, Illinois - 67-70=137 (-7)3. Brooke Biermann, Michigan State - 68-70=138 (-6)T4. Ines Archer, Florida - 70-70=140 (-4)T4. Leigha Devine, Rutgers - 69-71=140 (-4)6. Jade Gu, Purdue - 70-71=141 (-3)T7. Pimpisa Sisutham, UCF - 74-68=142 (-2)T7. Lexanne Halama, Illinois - 73-69=142 (-2)T7. Emily Bohrer, Boston College - 71-71=142 (-2)T10. Lauren Olivares Leon, NC State - 74-69=143 (-1)T10. Lucrezia Rossettin, Rutgers - 72-71=143 (-1)T10. Jasmine Kahler, Purdue - 72-71=143 (-1)&nbsp;Nebraska IndividualsT15. Kelli Ann Strand - 71-74=145 (+1)T35. Miu Takahashi - 74-74=148 (+4)T67. Arden Louchheim - 78-75=153 (+9)T67. Michaela Vavrova - 73-80=153 (+9)T77. Lindsey Thiele - 80-75=155 (+11)*T98. Brooke Bream - 85-76=161 (+17)* competing as an individual outside Nebraska's lineup

Strand leads Huskers Golf on 1st day at Briar’s Creek

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos on Monday agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $22.5 million with former Miami Dophins safety Brandon Jones, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person also confirmed that kicker Wil Lutz, who converted almost 90% of his field goal attempts last season in his reunion with coach Sean Payton, was re-signing with Denver on a two-year deal.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Broncos didn't announce the agreements, which will become official Wednesday with the start of the new league year.

The deal with Jones came shortly after the Broncos announced they had re-signed fifth-year safety&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Broncos/status/1767328146896912545?s=20">P.J. Locke</a>&nbsp;to a two-year contract that kept the emerging star off the free agent market.

Locke, who went undrafted out of Texas in 2020, is coming off a breakout season in 2023.

Filling in for the oft-suspended Kareem Jackson, Locke made 53 tackles, 33 of them solo, with three sacks, an interception, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles in a dozen games, including eight starts.

He also became the first safety in club history to get a sack in three consecutive games.

Like Locke, Jones joined the NFL out of Texas in 2020 when the the Dolphins selected him in the third round.

Jones played in 16 games last season and set career highs with four pass breakups and two interceptions. His 2022 season was cut short by a torn left ACL and he had a slow start last season before finishing strong.

Denver fourth-year safety Caden Sterns, who is coming back from a leg injury that sidelined him last season, also went to Texas. So, the Broncos' secondary should have some measure of familiarity even as it adjusts to the absence of All-Pro&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-free-agency-safeties-simmons-b9ca043f75e36f1094343203203de6fb">Justin Simmons</a>, a salary cap casualty in the aftermath of quarterback Russell Wilson's release.

The Broncos were saddled with a league-record $85 million in dead cap charges by releasing Wilson, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/steelers-wilson-07f79b0a666fffdcf62d9954f9e35fbb">agreed to a one-year deal with Pittsburgh</a>&nbsp;for the veteran minimum of $1.21 million. That leaves Denver on the hook for the remaining $36.79 million in Wilson's salary for 2024.

Also Monday, the Broncos lost Lloyd Cushenberry III to the Tennessee Titans, opening the way for a camp competition at center between Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth. Cushenberry agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract with the Titans.

The Broncos wanted Cushenberry to return but they had already paid top dollar to left guard Ben Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey in their free agency spending spree a year ago, and Quinn Meinerz is set to cash in next year after emerging as a standout at right guard.

Kirk Cousins chooses Atlanta, Saquon Barkley goes to Philly

Kirk Cousins is heading to the Falcons. Saquon Barkley is joining the Eagles. Brian Burns is going to the Giants.

The first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period was a free-for-all frenzy with teams making one big move after another, highlighted by Cousins’ decision to leave Minnesota for Atlanta.

The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and the Falcons&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kirk-cousins-falcons-contract-be48f1d3287f851e58cee83e17da154e">agreed on a $180 million, four-year deal</a>&nbsp;with $100 million guaranteed and a $50 million signing bonus, according to a person with knowledge of the terms who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday.

Barkley bolted New York for NFC East rival Philadelphia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-eagles-huff-barkley-785dd3a9eb249fa12bc16d1ac6e34ff7">agreeing on a three-year, $37.75 million deal</a>&nbsp;with $26 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the contract told the AP.

Hours after losing Barkley, the Giants made a splash on the defensive side. They’re sending a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder to Carolina for Burns,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/burns-giants-panthers-trade-06609a1b33204bd3f212b2ea2945c6b8">who is getting a five-year contract</a>&nbsp;worth up to $150 million with $87.5 million in guarantees, according to a person with knowledge of the terms.

Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowl running back, joins an all-star offensive cast in Philly and replaces D’Andre Swift, who is heading to the Chicago Bears.

It was a busy day for running backs, who have been undervalued by NFL teams in recent years.

Josh Jacobs, a 2022 All-Pro, is leaving Las Vegas for Green Bay. Tony Pollard is going from Dallas to Tennessee, Austin Ekeler from the Los Angeles Chargers to Washington, Devin Singletary from Houston to the Giants, Gus Edwards from Baltimore to the Chargers and Antonio Gibson from the Commanders to New England.

Like the Giants, the Raiders made a major splash on defense after losing their starting running back. Las Vegas and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins agreed to a four-year, $110 contract with $84.75 million guaranteed, agent David Mulugheta said.

The Raiders also are bringing in quarterback Gardner Minshew, who went 7-6 filling in for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis last season.

Detroit is getting edge rusher Marcus Davenport and acquiring cornerback Carlton Davis from Tampa Bay in a trade. The Lions also are re-signing guard Graham Glasgow.

The Vikings are adding edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and inside linebacker Blake Cashman.

In addition to Pollard, the Titans are getting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and center Lloyd Cushenberry.

The Packers bolstered their defense by agreeing on a deal with safety Xavier McKinney. Green Bay released Aaron Jones to make way for Jacobs.

Jacksonville, which is acquiring quarterback Mac Jones to back up Trevor Lawrence, is adding wide receiver Gabe Davis, safety Darnell Savage, kick returner Devin Duvernay and cornerback Ronald Darby.

The Commanders, who have the most salary cap space in the league, raided division rival Dallas for defensive end Dorance Armstrong and center Tyler Biadasz. Washington also is bringing in linebacker Frankie Luvu.

Several teams kept some of their top players.

The Browns have agreed to re-sign defensive end Za’Darius Smith and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst. The Eagles extended Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson’s contract and are signing edge rusher Bryce Huff away from the Jets.

The Seahawks are bringing back tight end Noah Fant. The Jets are re-signing kicker Greg Zuerlein and announced they signed cornerback Isaiah Oliver, who was released by San Francisco last month.

The Patriots are re-signing receiver Kendrick Bourne while bringing quarterback Jacoby Brissett back to the team that drafted him to play behind Tom Brady several years ago. The Bengals are adding safety Geno Stone and they announced they’re re-signing tight end Drew Sample and running back Trayveon Williams.

The Bills are bringing back left tackle Dion Dawkins, edge rusher A.J. Epenesa and defensive back Cam Lewis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698082044048.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos on Monday agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $22.5 million with former Miami Dophins safety Brandon Jones, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person also confirmed that kicker Wil Lutz, who converted almost 90% of his field goal attempts last season in his reunion with coach Sean Payton, was re-signing with Denver on a two-year deal.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Broncos didn't announce the agreements, which will become official Wednesday with the start of the new league year.The deal with Jones came shortly after the Broncos announced they had re-signed fifth-year safety&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Broncos/status/1767328146896912545?s=20">P.J. Locke</a>&nbsp;to a two-year contract that kept the emerging star off the free agent market.Locke, who went undrafted out of Texas in 2020, is coming off a breakout season in 2023.Filling in for the oft-suspended Kareem Jackson, Locke made 53 tackles, 33 of them solo, with three sacks, an interception, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles in a dozen games, including eight starts.He also became the first safety in club history to get a sack in three consecutive games.Like Locke, Jones joined the NFL out of Texas in 2020 when the the Dolphins selected him in the third round.Jones played in 16 games last season and set career highs with four pass breakups and two interceptions. His 2022 season was cut short by a torn left ACL and he had a slow start last season before finishing strong.Denver fourth-year safety Caden Sterns, who is coming back from a leg injury that sidelined him last season, also went to Texas. So, the Broncos' secondary should have some measure of familiarity even as it adjusts to the absence of All-Pro&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-free-agency-safeties-simmons-b9ca043f75e36f1094343203203de6fb">Justin Simmons</a>, a salary cap casualty in the aftermath of quarterback Russell Wilson's release.The Broncos were saddled with a league-record $85 million in dead cap charges by releasing Wilson, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/steelers-wilson-07f79b0a666fffdcf62d9954f9e35fbb">agreed to a one-year deal with Pittsburgh</a>&nbsp;for the veteran minimum of $1.21 million. That leaves Denver on the hook for the remaining $36.79 million in Wilson's salary for 2024.Also Monday, the Broncos lost Lloyd Cushenberry III to the Tennessee Titans, opening the way for a camp competition at center between Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth. Cushenberry agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract with the Titans.The Broncos wanted Cushenberry to return but they had already paid top dollar to left guard Ben Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey in their free agency spending spree a year ago, and Quinn Meinerz is set to cash in next year after emerging as a standout at right guard.<h2>Kirk Cousins chooses Atlanta, Saquon Barkley goes to Philly</h2>Kirk Cousins is heading to the Falcons. Saquon Barkley is joining the Eagles. Brian Burns is going to the Giants.The first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period was a free-for-all frenzy with teams making one big move after another, highlighted by Cousins’ decision to leave Minnesota for Atlanta.The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and the Falcons&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kirk-cousins-falcons-contract-be48f1d3287f851e58cee83e17da154e">agreed on a $180 million, four-year deal</a>&nbsp;with $100 million guaranteed and a $50 million signing bonus, according to a person with knowledge of the terms who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday.Barkley bolted New York for NFC East rival Philadelphia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-eagles-huff-barkley-785dd3a9eb249fa12bc16d1ac6e34ff7">agreeing on a three-year, $37.75 million deal</a>&nbsp;with $26 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the contract told the AP.Hours after losing Barkley, the Giants made a splash on the defensive side. They’re sending a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder to Carolina for Burns,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/burns-giants-panthers-trade-06609a1b33204bd3f212b2ea2945c6b8">who is getting a five-year contract</a>&nbsp;worth up to $150 million with $87.5 million in guarantees, according to a person with knowledge of the terms.Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowl running back, joins an all-star offensive cast in Philly and replaces D’Andre Swift, who is heading to the Chicago Bears.It was a busy day for running backs, who have been undervalued by NFL teams in recent years.Josh Jacobs, a 2022 All-Pro, is leaving Las Vegas for Green Bay. Tony Pollard is going from Dallas to Tennessee, Austin Ekeler from the Los Angeles Chargers to Washington, Devin Singletary from Houston to the Giants, Gus Edwards from Baltimore to the Chargers and Antonio Gibson from the Commanders to New England.Like the Giants, the Raiders made a major splash on defense after losing their starting running back. Las Vegas and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins agreed to a four-year, $110 contract with $84.75 million guaranteed, agent David Mulugheta said.The Raiders also are bringing in quarterback Gardner Minshew, who went 7-6 filling in for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis last season.Detroit is getting edge rusher Marcus Davenport and acquiring cornerback Carlton Davis from Tampa Bay in a trade. The Lions also are re-signing guard Graham Glasgow.The Vikings are adding edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and inside linebacker Blake Cashman.In addition to Pollard, the Titans are getting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and center Lloyd Cushenberry.The Packers bolstered their defense by agreeing on a deal with safety Xavier McKinney. Green Bay released Aaron Jones to make way for Jacobs.Jacksonville, which is acquiring quarterback Mac Jones to back up Trevor Lawrence, is adding wide receiver Gabe Davis, safety Darnell Savage, kick returner Devin Duvernay and cornerback Ronald Darby.The Commanders, who have the most salary cap space in the league, raided division rival Dallas for defensive end Dorance Armstrong and center Tyler Biadasz. Washington also is bringing in linebacker Frankie Luvu.Several teams kept some of their top players.The Browns have agreed to re-sign defensive end Za’Darius Smith and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst. The Eagles extended Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson’s contract and are signing edge rusher Bryce Huff away from the Jets.The Seahawks are bringing back tight end Noah Fant. The Jets are re-signing kicker Greg Zuerlein and announced they signed cornerback Isaiah Oliver, who was released by San Francisco last month.The Patriots are re-signing receiver Kendrick Bourne while bringing quarterback Jacoby Brissett back to the team that drafted him to play behind Tom Brady several years ago. The Bengals are adding safety Geno Stone and they announced they’re re-signing tight end Drew Sample and running back Trayveon Williams.The Bills are bringing back left tackle Dion Dawkins, edge rusher A.J. Epenesa and defensive back Cam Lewis.

Broncos active on NFL's first day of free agency; big names make big changes

Manda Clarke has resigned as head volleyball coach.&nbsp; Coach Clarke led the Lady Bulldogs for two seasons, compiling 31 wins and one district final appearance.&nbsp;

Coach Clarke would like to express her sincere gratitude for the support, guidance, and appreciation provided to her during her time as a coach at AHS. It has been her pleasure working with a team dedicated to fostering growth and development in our student athletes.&nbsp;

Manda plans to continue at Alliance Public Schools as a school nurse.&nbsp; She recently accepted a Nurse Practitioner position that will bring about a change in her schedule that will not allow her the time nor the schedule flexibility to fulfill head coach responsibilities.&nbsp;

We thank Coach Manda Clarke for all she has done for our volleyball&nbsp; program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710197128189.jpeg" alt="Coach Clarke Coaching in a game last season. Photo by Teresa Sanders" />
 <figcaption>Coach Clarke Coaching in a game last season. Photo by Teresa Sanders</figcaption>
 </figure>By Alliance Public SchoolsManda Clarke has resigned as head volleyball coach.&nbsp; Coach Clarke led the Lady Bulldogs for two seasons, compiling 31 wins and one district final appearance.&nbsp;Coach Clarke would like to express her sincere gratitude for the support, guidance, and appreciation provided to her during her time as a coach at AHS. It has been her pleasure working with a team dedicated to fostering growth and development in our student athletes.&nbsp;Manda plans to continue at Alliance Public Schools as a school nurse.&nbsp; She recently accepted a Nurse Practitioner position that will bring about a change in her schedule that will not allow her the time nor the schedule flexibility to fulfill head coach responsibilities.&nbsp;We thank Coach Manda Clarke for all she has done for our volleyball&nbsp; program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Manda Clarke Resigns as Head Coach of Bulldogs Volleyball

Russell Wilson is heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Steelers, a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press on Sunday night.

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract hasn’t been finalized, said Wilson will receive the veteran’s minimum of $1.21 million while the Denver Broncos pay the remainder of his $39 million salary.

<a href="https://x.com/DangeRussWilson/status/1767031776151777728?s=20">Wilson posted his intentions</a>&nbsp;on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, saying: “Year 13. Grateful. (at)Steelers.”

The 35-year-old Wilson was 11-19 in two seasons with the Broncos after being acquired in a trade from Seattle. He bounced back from a dreadful 2022 season and threw 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, but still lost his job to Jarrett Stidham after going 7-8 in coach Sean Payton’s first season last year.

Wilson led Seattle to eight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title in 10 seasons with the Seahawks.

The Steelers lost a wild-card playoff game with Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback. Rudolph went 3-0 after replacing Kenny Pickett, who was 7-5 before going down with an injury. Mitch Trubisky started the other two games and went 0-2.

Pittsburgh is scheduled to play the Broncos in Denver this upcoming season — and the game could feature a return by Wilson. The NFL is expected to release its league schedule in May.

Last week, the Broncos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-russell-wilson-released-8dd648ea616e012c4e1d765b3bfa7c0a">informed Wilson they’d release him</a>&nbsp;when the new league year begins Wednesday — but gave him permission to speak to other teams.

“We thank Russell for his contributions and dedications to our team and community while wishing him the best as he continues his career,” the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Broncos/status/1764762904182550644?s=20">team posted</a>&nbsp;on its social media channels last week, adding, “We are excited to improve this offseason and will have the flexibility to get better through the draft and free agency.”

After signing a nearly quarter-billion dollar extension before playing a down in Denver, Wilson contended the Broncos had threatened to bench him for the final nine games last season if he didn’t push back his $37 million injury guarantee in his contract.

Wilson declined to adjust his deal and started seven more games before getting benched in what Payton insisted was a football move, not a financial one.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710169338116.jpeg" alt="Russell 2" />
 <figcaption>Russell 2</figcaption>
 </figure>(AP) Russell Wilson is heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers.The nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Steelers, a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press on Sunday night.The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract hasn’t been finalized, said Wilson will receive the veteran’s minimum of $1.21 million while the Denver Broncos pay the remainder of his $39 million salary.<a href="https://x.com/DangeRussWilson/status/1767031776151777728?s=20">Wilson posted his intentions</a>&nbsp;on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, saying: “Year 13. Grateful. (at)Steelers.”The 35-year-old Wilson was 11-19 in two seasons with the Broncos after being acquired in a trade from Seattle. He bounced back from a dreadful 2022 season and threw 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, but still lost his job to Jarrett Stidham after going 7-8 in coach Sean Payton’s first season last year.Wilson led Seattle to eight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title in 10 seasons with the Seahawks.The Steelers lost a wild-card playoff game with Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback. Rudolph went 3-0 after replacing Kenny Pickett, who was 7-5 before going down with an injury. Mitch Trubisky started the other two games and went 0-2.Pittsburgh is scheduled to play the Broncos in Denver this upcoming season — and the game could feature a return by Wilson. The NFL is expected to release its league schedule in May.Last week, the Broncos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-russell-wilson-released-8dd648ea616e012c4e1d765b3bfa7c0a">informed Wilson they’d release him</a>&nbsp;when the new league year begins Wednesday — but gave him permission to speak to other teams.“We thank Russell for his contributions and dedications to our team and community while wishing him the best as he continues his career,” the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Broncos/status/1764762904182550644?s=20">team posted</a>&nbsp;on its social media channels last week, adding, “We are excited to improve this offseason and will have the flexibility to get better through the draft and free agency.”After signing a nearly quarter-billion dollar extension before playing a down in Denver, Wilson contended the Broncos had threatened to bench him for the final nine games last season if he didn’t push back his $37 million injury guarantee in his contract.Wilson declined to adjust his deal and started seven more games before getting benched in what Payton insisted was a football move, not a financial one.The move also comes less than two weeks after Steelers general manager Omar Khan said the team had “full faith” in Pickett, a former star next door at the University of Pittsburgh who has struggled to be a difference maker at the most important position on the field.Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin has defended Pickett at every turn since the Steelers selected him with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 draft. Tomlin admitted in the days after Pittsburgh's loss to Buffalo in the playoffs that 2024 would be a “huge” year for Pickett and the plan was to bring in competition during training camp.That competition now likely won't be on the well-liked Rudolph — who will become a free agent on Wednesday — but instead a player with a potentially Hall of Fame caliber resume who has just one playoff win since 2016 and struggled to fit in in Denver.Wilson joins a team that has plenty of youth on offense in running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren and wide receivers George Pickens and Diontae Johnson, and stars on defense in perennial All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.With Watt and Fitzpatrick both in their primes, Pittsburgh appears to be in a hurry to close the gap between itself and the AFC's elite, a club the Steelers haven't been a part of for at least a half-decade. Team president Art Rooney II said in January it was “time to get some wins” in the playoffs, something Pittsburgh hasn't done since beating Kansas City in the divisional round in 2016.Enter Wilson and first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arthur-smith-steelers-1cc1eb14fd27541354c6a869f90ba741">hired last month</a>&nbsp;to revive a unit that has finished 21st or worse in points per game four times in the last five years.Getting Wilson on the cheap gives Pittsburgh plenty of flexibility in free agency as it looks to address positions along the offensive and defensive lines as well as the secondary and inside linebacker. The team cut several players — namely veteran defensive back Patrick Peterson and center Mason Cole — in recent weeks to create more flexibility and Wilson's arrival signals an “all-in” approach with the team in its longest drought between postseason victories since Franco Harris made the “Immaculate Reception” more than five decades ago.