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Column: It’ll be ‘Fast Times at Arcadia High’ on Saturday

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Monitor and discipline fanatics are at all times excited to attend the Arcadia Invitational as a result of it brings collectively California’s greatest highschool athletes competing in the game.

It’s additionally a beautiful occasion for school soccer followers as a number of extremely recruited athletes get to point out off their pace in a preview of what they could do on Saturday afternoons whereas sprinting for touchdowns.

UCLA-bound receiver Jadyn Marshall from Stockton St. Mary’s has the quickest 110 hurdles time within the nation and is the defending Arcadia Invitational champion. He’ll be coming to city for Saturday’s competitors that begins at 5:15 p.m. at Arcadia Excessive. For those who thought UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is sweet at hurdling defenders, wait till you see Marshall gliding over hurdles.

Stockton St. Mary’s Jadyn Marshall (4) takes the early lead in successful the 110-meter hurdles on the 2021 Arcadia Invitational.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)

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“I like the competitors,” he stated. “I hope all of the folks from in every single place come and run.”

Athletes from 622 faculties throughout 27 states registered for the 54th Arcadia Invitational.

The 100 meters is so good that it may have its personal pay-per-view present.

Let’s evaluate the primary contenders:

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  • Simi Valley junior operating again Jaelon Barbarin has a wind-aided 10.37 time within the 100 meters and owns a victory over USC-bound Max Thomas.
  • Gardena Serra junior cornerback Rodrick Nice shall be targeted on racing Barbarin as a substitute of attempting to sort out him. He has run 100 meters simply as soon as this season and that was a scintillating 10.39-second debut on the Texas Relays.
  • Thomas, a senior at Anaheim Servite, is a former soccer standout. He was purported to give attention to the 400 this spring, however has been operating the 100 and 200 so quick that he’s sticking with the sprints and has been probably the most constant for the final month.
  • Oregon-bound Patrick Ize-Iyamu of West Hills Chaminade is the defending champion within the 100 and is simply beginning to decide up pace as he makes a comeback from harm final season.
  • USC-bound Austin Overn of Santa Ana Foothill is a football-baseball standout operating monitor for the primary time and has already clocked a ten.49.
  • Arizona-bound Rayshon Luke of Bellflower St. John Bosco is a operating again who set a freshman state report, didn’t run monitor through the COVID-19 seasons and has returned for his senior season to see how briskly he can run.
  • Jordan Washington of Lengthy Seaside Jordan is a promising sophomore operating again testing himself in opposition to veterans.
  • Micah Bell, a junior from Houston Kincaid, has run 10.45 seconds and is one other excellent cornerback with blazing pace.

As if that isn’t sufficient for soccer illustration, junior operating again Dijon Stanley of Granada Hills has run 47.56 within the 400, fourth-best in California.

The extent of high athletes at this 12 months’s occasion is harking back to the times when Michael Norman of Vista Murrieta was entertaining followers along with his pace within the 200 and 400.

Camryn Bynum of St. John Bosco is No. 1 within the lengthy bounce at 24 ft, 4 inches, and No. 3 within the triple bounce at 46-9.

Then there’s the good distance runners from Newbury Park — the brother duos of Colin and Aaron Sahlman and Leo and Lex Younger. They set data in cross-country and are gearing as much as set extra distance data this spring. There are such a lot of high runners for the boys’ 3,200 meters that they are going to stage a number of heats.

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Within the women’ ranks, Duke-bound Dalia Frias of Manhattan Seaside Mira Costa broke a state mile report final week that had stood since 1982. She’ll duel once more with Ventura freshman Sadie Engelhardt.

Alabama-bound Samantha McDonnell of Newbury Park is beginning to get into form after being sidelined by harm. Kylee Davis of Santa Clarita Golden Valley has the state’s No. 1 lengthy bounce at 20-0.5.

Marshall, the sprinter from Stockton, stated he plans to remain this week in Los Angeles, practice and attend some UCLA spring soccer practices in preparation for competing subsequent weekend on the Mt. San Antonio School Invitational.

Requested if he had spoken with Thompson-Robinson hurdling tacklers, Marshall stated, “I haven’t had that dialog with him.”

Simply look ahead to the autumn when the Bruins have two gamers hurdling over defenders.

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Knicks reunite Mikal Bridges with Villanova teammates in blockbuster trade with Nets: reports

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Knicks reunite Mikal Bridges with Villanova teammates in blockbuster trade with Nets: reports

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There’s just something the New York Knicks love about those Villanova products in the NBA. 

The Knicks have reportedly struck a trade with the Brooklyn Nets to bring Mikal Bridges, a former teammate of Knicks stars, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo during their time at Villanova, to Madison Square Garden in a blockbuster deal. 

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In this first trade between both teams since 1983, the Knicks will send veteran forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-round pick in exchange for Bridges, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Jalen Brunson #11 and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks talk to Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets after the game on March 23, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.  (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Knicks saw exactly what former college teammates could do on the floor together in the NBA last season, as Brunson, DiVincenzo and Hart all had stellar campaigns during the team’s playoff run. 

Now, Bridges reunites with teammates he won multiple NCAA national titles with during his college days. 

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KENDRICK PERKINS CALLS BRIAN SCALABRINE ‘COWARD’ AFTER FORMER TEAMMATE CLAIMS HE’S BANNED FROM CELTICS PARADE

Bridges’ reaction was likely that of all Knicks fans, as he posted on social media. 

“This is crazy lol,” Bridges simply posted on X. 

Bridges, the 10th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft who was traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Phoenix Suns on draft night, has developed into a star with the Nets since he was dealt before the deadline in the 2022-23 campaign. 

He jumped from 17.2 points per game to 26.1 over 27 contests that season as a Net, and last year’s production was solid as well. 

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Mikal Bridges gets rebound

Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats grabs a rebound in front of teammates Donte DiVincenzo #10 and Jalen Brunson #1 against the Providence Friars at the Wells Fargo Center on January 23, 2018, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game with 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steals, while shooting 43.6% from the field over all 82 regular-season games. 

The Philly native, who was a 2021-22 All-Defensive team honoree, figures to slot right into the starting lineup alongside his Villanova brothers, including the All-Star Brunson who exploded for an All-NBA nod after averaging a career-high 28.7 points per contest. 

The news of Bridges’ addition comes as OG Anunoby, the Knicks’ traded-for wing last season, reportedly opted out of his contract and decided to test free agency. 

Bridges, at 6-foot-6, has the ability to guard just about any player on the floor, and head coach Tom Thibodeau loves players with that extra hustle, which he provides every night. 

New York is clearly a win-now team after going 50-32 last season to earn the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. But they’ve lost in the conference semifinals in back-to-back seasons, so adding another playmaker who can thrive on both ends of the floor was paramount for their squad this offseason. 

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Mikal Bridges runs on court

Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates after making a shot in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 01, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

That box is checked with the addition of Bridges, who shouldn’t have any trouble getting acclimated with his new team.

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Sika Anoa’i, WWE Hall of Famer and father of Roman Reigns, dies at 79

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Sika Anoa’i, WWE Hall of Famer and father of Roman Reigns, dies at 79

WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i, who won multiple WWE tag team titles with his brother Afa and is the father of current WWE star Roman Reigns, died Tuesday. He was 79.

His death was announced by nephew Jahrus Anoa’i on Instagram.

Jahrus wrote: “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Former Hall of Famer, Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i. He passed away peacefully on June 25th. He was many things: a hard working father, a caring brother, a supportive uncle, and a proud grandfather. He was a cherished friend to many, a loving family member whose warmth and kindness knew no bounds, and an inspiration to countless individuals. His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, reminding us of the impact one person’s life can have on so many. Rest in love Uncle Sika.”

Anoaʻi was born on the island of Tutuila in American Samoa on April 5, 1945. He and his family (he had 13 siblings) moved to San Francisco when he was 14 and he joined the Merchant Marines in 1963 before leaving in 1969 at the behest of Afa to become a pro wrestler.

Sika and Afa were known as “The Wild Samoans” and joined the WWE (then known as the WWWF), managed by Lou Albano, in 1980, winning the tag titles just four months after their debut by defeating Tito Santana and Ivan Putski. They lost, then won them again later in 1980, then again in 1983. He had limited success as a singles wrestler, but anyone who saw “The Wild Samoans,” with their wild hair, sarong and wrestling barefoot in the ring, will never forget them. They were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

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Sika trained wrestlers after retiring and helped launch the careers of many, including Yokozuna, Virgil, Billy Kidman, Batista, Rikishi, Tonga Kid, Virgil, Michael P.S. Hayes and Snitsky.

Anoaʻi’s son, Joseph, better known as Roman Reigns, is the top star in WWE currently and members of his extended family make up the faction known as “The Bloodline,” which has led WWE to renewed success in recent years. Reigns headlined the last two WrestleManias, including the 2023 event at SoFi Stadium.

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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk jumps in ocean with Stanley Cup as celebration hits the beach

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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk jumps in ocean with Stanley Cup as celebration hits the beach

The Stanley Cup is back in Florida, as the Panthers won a thrilling Game 7 over the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, on Monday night. 

The team wasted no time parading Lord Stanley’s Cup around South Florida, as Matthew Tkachuk, Aaron Ekblad and many others were spotted in Fort Lauderdale celebrating their victory less than 24 hours after defeating Edmonton. 

And since it is summer in Florida, what other way would you celebrate than by taking the Cup to the beach. 

Matthew Tkachuk of the Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup after their 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

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Tkachuk, surrounded by teammates and fans alike, took the Cup across the street to the beach, where he decided to take it into the Atlantic Ocean. 

Think of it as a sort of baptism for the Cup, as it’s the first time in Panthers franchise history they have won the hardware. 

Panthers fans were screaming as Tkachuk, Ekblad and others held the Cup above their heads, giving it the customary kiss all while the waves came rolling in from the ocean. 

PANTHERS WIN STANLEY CUP IN THRILLING GAME 7 OVER OILERS

Tkachuk said after the victory to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan that winning the Cup was no longer a dream – it’s reality. And it was a grueling two years for the Panthers – they lost in the Final to the Vegas Golden Knights last season in five games – to finally get that inaugural trophy in the team building. 

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So, this celebration is a culmination of tons of hard work, and the Panthers are clearly letting loose now that their names will forever be etched on the precious metal. 

Panthers celebrate Stanley Cup win

Panthers players share champagne after beating the Edmonton Oilers at the Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Florida. (Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

Through the Panthers’ 24 games in these playoffs, Tkachuk posted 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) to help Florida get the job done. 

He joined the Panthers last season after the Calgary Flames traded him following six seasons with the squad that drafted him sixth overall in 2016. 

Tkachuk posted a 109-point season in 2023, and though he would have 88 this past regular season, every Panthers fan knows the importance he makes at left wing for this hockey club. 

Matthew Tkachuk raise Stanley Cup

Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers lifts the Stanley Cup after beating the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

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The celebration has only begun for Tkachuk and the rest of his Florida teammates, who will have their team parade on Sunday.  

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