TAURASI, MERCURY MEET WITH STATE DEPT.
State Department officials met Monday with members of Brittney Griner’s WNBA team about the Phoenix Mercury star’s monthslong detention in Russia and the Biden administration’s efforts to secure her release.
The State Department confirmed the meeting, which involved officials from its specialized office that advocates for wrongfully detained Americans.
“There is a lot involved in getting her back home and safe, they’re working relentlessly,” Mercury star Diana Taurasi said after the meeting in a release from the Mercury. “We’re here to do whatever we can to amplify and keep BG at the forefront, which is more important than any basketball game and anything else that’s going on in our lives. We want BG to come home as soon as possible, it’s No. 1 on our list.”
The administration has previously said that its working to bring Griner and another American, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, home from Russia.
“Knowing the State Department at the highest level, from U.S President Joe Biden to the team that is working on bringing back all Americans who are wrongfully detained, gives us a lot of confidence that they’re working on it,” Taurasi said.
Griner was detained on Feb. 17 at an airport in Russia after authorities there said a search of her bag revealed vape cartridges containing a cannabis derivative. In May, the State Department reclassified Griner as wrongfully detained.
Softball
Oklahoma softball player Jocelyn Alo will play for the new Women’s Professional Fastpitch league. She had a choice between WPF and Athletes Unlimited but the leagues overlap, so she had to make a choice.
The WPF is doing an exhibition-style first season. Athletes Unlimited softball is going into its third season.
“I’m excited to see how good it’s going to get from here because of the college game and how much people want to watch it and stuff like that,” said Alo, also a two-time USA Softball Player of the Year.
College baseball
Cal State San Marcos head coach Matt Guiliano resigned effective June 30, Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo announced.
“I am forever grateful for the opportunity this university has given my family,” said Guiliano.
In his six seasons at the helm, Guiliano produced 18 All-CCAA honorees and 10 AllWest Region selections. Starting pitcher Taylor Ahearn was drafted by Boston in the 32nd round of the MLB Draft in 2017.
NHL
A Winnipeg brewery says it will give Barry Trotz free beer for life if he returns to his native province to coach the Jets. Little Brown Jug Brewing Company and a local sports talk show launched the campaign
Trotz coached the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018 and ranks third in regular-season victories.
• The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Jeremy Lauzon to a four-year contract worth $8 million.
Tennis
Former champions Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic advanced to the last 16 at the Queen’s Club grass-court tournament as three seeded players were eliminated from the Wimbledon warmup. The biggest shock saw fourthseeded Taylor Fritz of San Diego lose 6-3, 6-2 to Jack Draper, a 20-year-old British wild card ranked at No. 99.
Also
Guard Jahari Long is transferring from Seton Hall to Maryland, following in the footsteps of coach Kevin Willard.
• Former gymnasts Alicia Sacramone Quinn and Chellsie Memmel have taken on roles at USA Gymnastics.