MORNING ROUNDUP

Aru takes lead at Tour de France

For his three previous victories at the Tour de France, Chris

Froome took advantage of the first big mountain stage to deliver the decisive blow.

On Thursday, that tried and trusted strategy never got going, and he surrendered the overall race lead to Fabio Aru.

Dak predicts repeat as NFC East champs

Dak Prescott doesn’t plan on the Dallas Cowboys losing their “division champions” label anytime soon.

The Cowboys’ quarterback predicted another division title before the ESPY awards on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

“We’re the Cowboys. We’re going win the NFC East,” Prescott said.

Carolina owner considering selling team

Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. is considering selling the NHL team.

Hurricanes spokesman Mike Sundheim said in a statement that Karmanos is deciding whether to accept an offer for the franchise or remain the owner, but he declined to say who made the offer.

Ference retires after 16 seasons

Veteran defenseman

Andrew Ference, who won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011, has announced his retirement from the NHL after 16 seasons.

The 38-year-old made his announcement Thursday after spending the past four seasons with Edmonton, where he served as the Oilers’ captain from 2013-15.

Middleton headed to Iowa State

Tennessee transfer

Alexa Middleton will play her final season at Iowa State.

The Cyclones announced Wednesday that Middleton, a former McDonald’s All-American, will sit out next year under transfer rules and play for the Cyclones in 2018-19.

Middleton was ranked the No. 4 guard in the country coming out of high school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.