Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
U.S. seemed to skate by in Olympics
Paul Newberry of The Associated Press believes the United States Olympic team overpromised and underdelivered in this year’s Winter Olympics in South Korea.
“They had their moments, without a doubt,” Newberry wrote.
“No amount of soaring visuals or tear-jerking features or hokey patriotism could gloss over this reality: Team USA did not live up to expectations at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
“The flame was set to be doused Sunday night on a games that produced nine golds but only 23 medals overall, which represented the country’s lowest output since 1998 and, more perplexing, far below the U.S. Olympic Committee’s own target.
“If not for those shredders out at the snowboard mountain, who accounted for nearly half the golds (four) and seven medals in all, these Olympics would’ve been a total flop for the Americans. “There’s figure skating, the sport that largely drives the NBC gravy train. It was held to a pair of bronze medals in Pyeongchang (which, in fairness, was just one shy of its USOC target) and has fallen completely off the map on the women’s side.
“Mirai Nagasu, Karen Chen and Bradie Tennell all went down in the short program on the way to finishing ninth, 10th and 11th. What a tumble for the nation that produced seven gold medalists in women’s figure skating from 1952 in Oslo to 2006 in Turin.
“Russia and Japan are now the countries to beat. That doesn’t seem likely to change anytime soon since those two are also dominating at the world junior level, which usually serves up the next generation of gold medalists.
“With Lindsay Vonn and Ted Ligety likely on the way out, Alpine skiing is heading for a major changing of the guard after winning only one gold and three medals at these games.
“That was the fewest U.S. victories since 2002, the fewest podium finishes since 2006.”
‘Not my record’
Iowa’s Jordan Bohannon had a chance to break the school record for consecutive free throws of 34 held by Chris Street — who died in a car accident midway through the 1993 season — late in the second half Sunday against Northwestern in Iowa City, Iowa.
But Bohannon, an Iowa native, pointed to the sky and intentionally missed the free throw that would’ve knocked Street out of the record books — with Street’s parents in attendance. Iowa was ahead 73-65 with 2:15 left at the time.
“That’s not my record to have. That record deserves to stay in his name,” Bohannon told reporters Sunday. “It’s been on my mind for a while … life is a lot bigger than basketball.”
Bohannon scored 25 points, including seven three-pointers, to lead Iowa past Northwestern 77-70.
He said it
The Orlando Sentinel’s George Diaz on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles: “Blake Bortles is getting paid. “Scream away all you want, but one thing is certain: The Jaguars are committed to Bortles big time after signing him to a $54 million deal and could escalate up to $66.5 million with incentives. The deal also includes about $26.5 million in guaranteed money.
“The deal announced Saturday completes one of the best comeback stories in recent NFL seasons. Just a few months ago during the exhibition season, Bortles was sharing reps with journeyman Chad Henne, the convenient Band-Aid when your starting quarterback stinks.
“Bortles has proven he can rise up above his ‘game-manager’ role and throw the rock around a little bit. And chances are the Jaguars would have defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game if offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett had not gone into a conservative cocoon with a second-half lead.”