plus 4, The one where a Coug impresses Jim Brown - Everett Herald

The one where a Coug impresses Jim Brown - Everett Herald
Maascaro drops plans to modify Union Township auto park plans - Reading Eagle
First American woman to ride in the Cannonball Run - American Motorcyclist Association
David Eugene Stanfield - Tehechapi News
Nora, Iran's women motocross champion, faces uphill ride - Global Nation

The one where a Coug impresses Jim Brown - Everett Herald

Posted: 21 Dec 2009 08:34 PM PST

TODAY'S LINEUP

A look at the top sports stories in today"s Herald:

Is this the bottom?

After playing a stagnant first half, the Seahawks came out and showed what they're really made of after what must have been quite a fiery halftime speech from Jim Mora. And what they're apparently made of is marshmallows and candy canes. The Seahawks were outscored 21-0 in the second half and lost to rookie quarterback Josh Freeman and the Bucs on Sunday. So that's why Mike Holmgren didn't want any part of this franchise.

Former Coug makes good

Browns running back and one-time WSU star Jerome Harrison ran for a team-record 286 yards as the Browns did everything they could to save Eric Mangini's job in beating Kansas City 41-36 on Sunday. Jim Brown congratulated Harrison after the game, saying he was proud of the young running back. Actually he was just glad to see someone other than Jamal Lewis fall into the line every play.

THE WEEKEND REWIND

What you missed while nearly pulling a Clark Griswold off the roof hanging Christmas lights

This weekend would have made Bing Crosby happy

The East Coast was blanketed in a fresh dusting of the white stuff this weekend, forcing a number of games to be delayed or canceled and messing up any number of travel plans. The Closer can only say better them than us. Remember last year's doozy of a snow storm? The Closer doesn't. Not after he slipped on some ice and went down faster than the Seahawks playoff hopes.

Bowl season kicks off

A guy named Dwight Dasher (How's that for a Christmas-themed name?) led Middle Tennessee to a win over Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl Sunday night and Wyoming won the New Mexico Bowl with a thrilling double overtime victory over Fresno State Saturday. The Cowboys' win gave Everett-native Dave Christensen his first bowl victory, leaving him just four bowl wins and two national championships behind fellow Everett alum Dennis Erickson. Good luck, Dave.

Downing the Pilots

The UW men's basketball team avenged last season's loss to Portland, ripping the Pilots 89-54 on Saturday night. So if The Closer has his math right, the Huskies are 62 points better than UCLA, which lost to the Pilots 74-47 back in November. John Wooden would be rolling in his grave right now -- if he were dead.

Nation takes notice of M's

National sportswriters are starting to take notice of the rebirth of the Seattle Mariners and are giving all the praise -- rightfully so -- to general manager Jack Zduriencik. The M's point man has wheeled and dealed the Seattle into the favorites in the AL West. Most of the writers thought the only thing that happened up here during the winter was bad football and motorcycle ice-racing.

Gonzaga gets schooled

The Zags, who are sometimes referred to as the Duke of the Northwest, met the real Duke and came away with a few lessons. 1. Don't play in New York in a snowstorm in New York, and, 2. You need to score more than a point per minute to beat a top-10 team. After the game, Mike Krzyzewski could be overheard saying to Mark Few: "You have much to learn, Grasshoppa."

Nate not-so-great

Buried on the Knicks bench for weeks now, Nate Robinson says he didn't request a trade, even though his agent reportedly threatened just that. To be fair, the threat came after Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said he'd play Satan himself if he thought it'd get him some wins. So that's how he made the Suns so good ... As for Robinson, if only he could get Dwight Howard to stand in the line with his arms at his side during games.

CURVE BALLS

Wacky and wild news from the world of sports

SNL shoots down Ducks

With UW's hated rival the Oregon Ducks preparing for the Rose Bowl, The Closer couldn't have been happier to see Saturday Night Live take a potshot at the Ducks. Enjoy, Husky fans:

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Maascaro drops plans to modify Union Township auto park plans - Reading Eagle

Posted: 21 Dec 2009 09:09 PM PST

Louis J. Mascaro has abandoned an attempt to modify the design of his proposed Liberty Bell Motorsport Park and Campground in Union Township.

"Mr. Mascaro is withdrawing his application for modifications and will resume the land development process based on approvals already granted by the (township) zoning hearing board," William F. Fox Jr., Mascaro's lawyer, said in a statement released Monday.

The move is the latest ripple in Mascaro's nine-year battle to build an auto-racing complex on 668 acres along Route 724.

Through his company, Ethan Michael Inc., Mascaro proposes to build a $35 million complex for racing sports cars, motorcycles and go-carts.

Mascaro sought to modify special exceptions approved by the zoning hearing board.

The modifications included changing the track layout, eliminating a recreational vehicle parking lot and relocating a parking lot visible from Route 724 - aspects of the plan that came under criticism during public hearings.

The zoning hearing board had intended to review the changes Dec. 10 but abruptly canceled the hearing on advice of its special counsel, Josele Cleary of Lancaster.

Cleary wanted Mascaro to provide a more in-depth explanation of the changes he was proposing.

In a Dec. 17 letter, Fox informed the zoning hearing board that his client was no longer seeking the changes.

"Enough is enough," Mascaro said Monday, expressing frustration with the pace at which the project is proceeding. "We're going to build it according to the way it was approved."

In the written statement, Fox, who could not be reached for comment Monday, accused Union Township of using tactics that would precipitate an extended legal proceeding and delay construction.

Taking the changes off the table makes the scheduled hearings unnecessary, he said.

"I will not be amending the application," he wrote, "nor will there be any need for the hearings scheduled for Jan. 7 and Jan. 21, 2010."

The zoning hearing board had approved the motorsports park, but Union Township supervisors challenged the action in court.

In the most recent ruling, Commonwealth Court decided Mascaro's company can proceed with the auto racing park and campground.

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First American woman to ride in the Cannonball Run - American Motorcyclist Association

Posted: 21 Dec 2009 07:22 PM PST

From a press release issued by the Cannonball Run...

San Francisco, California (December 21, 2009) - Three-time Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee and author of the newly published book, The American Motorcycle Girls: 1900–1950, Cristine Sommer-Simmons today announced that she will be riding in the Motorcycle Cannonball Run next year.

Sommer-Simmons will be one of only two women riders in the cross-country endurance run of the century. The Motorcycle Cannonball Run is gathering momentum to launch a pack of riders on vintage motorcycles for an historic ride across America in September 2010.

The brainchild of Lonnie Isam, Jr., promoter and owner of Jurassic Racing in Sturgis, South Dakota, The Motorcycle Cannonball Run of 2010 requires that participants ride classic pre-1916 motorcycles such Pope, Sears, Flying Merkel, Excelsior, Henderson, Indian, Triumph, and the Harley-Davidson's Silent Grey Fellows.

Sommer-Simmons will make the 3,320-mile transcontinental ride on September 10 on the east coast in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on her 1915 Harley Davidson.

"This is the thrill of a lifetime!" exclaims Simmons, "It's an honor to be a part of such a historic and monumental race, and even more exciting to be the only American woman registered for the event!"

For more information about the Motorcycle Cannonball Run, visit www.motorcyclecannonball.com.

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David Eugene Stanfield - Tehechapi News

Posted: 21 Dec 2009 06:32 PM PST

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David Eugene Stanfield
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Posted by editor Mon Dec 21, 2009 18:36:14 PST
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David Eugene Stanfield, beloved husband of Pam Stanfield, passed away Dec. 11, 2009 after a brave and valiant battle with leukemia.

David was born in the San Fernando valley on Jan. 14, 1967. He spent his youth growing up in Santa Barbara, Calif. where he had many fond memories of camping with his family, fishing with his father and brother, surfing at the beach, hiking and mountain bike riding. He was a great lover of the outdoors.

After high school David went to work learning the plumbing trade. He worked tirelessly to start his own very successful plumbing and pipeline company of over 20 years.

In 1990 he met the love of his life and best friend Pam, they were married in 1994. Together they raised four beautiful children. Dave was a devoted husband and father. Family was the most important thing to him.

The family has wonderful memories of all of their time spent with Dave. In recent years Dave rediscovered his love for riding motorcycles. It was a family obsession and they all spent countless weekends riding together and eventually traveling around to compete in racing. Those are memories that they are all thankful for. Dave and the family made many friends through dirt bike riding and those friends have been a huge support to Dave and the family through his battle with cancer. The family will be forever thankful for all of their support.

Two years ago Dave finally realized his dream to live in the country. He moved his family to the beautiful mountains of Tehachapi. He was finally where he had always wanted to be. The friends that Dave and the family made in this small community have also been a huge support to them.

Dave is survived by his Wife Pam, and Children Heather, Michael, Jordan, and Ben. His parents, Harvey and Mary Stanfield, Sister Debbie, Brother John and Wife Susi, nieces Abbey and Sophie. Who will also dearly miss their brother and uncle.

A celebration of David's life will be held on Friday, Jan. 29, 11 a.m. at Cal City MX Park.

He will be forever missed in our hearts.

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Nora, Iran's women motocross champion, faces uphill ride - Global Nation

Posted: 21 Dec 2009 07:08 PM PST

TEHRAN--Nora Naraghi is barred because of her sex from taking a motorcycle out on Iran's roads, yet she has defied not only discrimination but the challenge of the sport to become a motocross champion.

Born into a family of motorcycling enthusiasts, where motocross biking is a part of everyday life, Nora was prevented from obtaining a motorcycle license so she hit the sandy trails instead.

"I was born into it. I remember I was four when my dad who is a motorcycle champion used to sit me on a little Montesa and let me do circles over and over in front of his motorbike shop," Nora, who races in the MX2 category, told AFP.

"I recall that one day he thought I was tired and wanted to get me off the bike but I would not let go of the accelerator!" the 20-year-old added, punching her fist in the air.

"I feel no pressure in following the passion of my parents. My father was once Iran's motocross champion, my mum rides, I ride, my younger brother rides and of course my husband rides motocross bikes too," she said.

"To quench my thirst for excitement was easy, since the gear and motors were available and accessible to me. Also for me biking is like horse-back riding, which I pursue as a hobby," she added.

Although women are banned from driving motorcycles on the streets in Iran, scenes of women riding pillion on motorbikes are not unusual.

But, unlike in Saudi Arabia, they are allowed to drive cars. Some even drive buses and long-haul trucks.

Nora says the track at Azadi stadium, Tehran's main sports complex, is off limits for women, and that this lack of available tracks is the main hurdle for women getting ahead in motocross.

"We do not have a place to train like a permanent track, so we go to the hills in northwestern Tehran, which my father has set up with basic technical requirements," she added.

Sitting next to her, Nora's husband Hadi Moghaddas said: "After marriage men usually kiss biking goodbye, but not I. I am now even more dedicated."

"I came to know Nora through her father, since my father sold motorbike parts," Moghaddas explained.

"We used to quarrel on the race track, and when I fell she would not stop and would only tell people at the finishing line that there was a casualty on the track!" he said.

"We want our children to be bike riders too," said Moghaddas, with an approving look from Nora.

Nora says her ambition extends beyond Iran's borders. She wants to compete against US women in motocross.

"I would really like to race outside Iran, and the Americans are the best in this sport."

"My role model is Ashley Foilek, (the 2008 and 2009 US women's motocross association champion). I like her style and like me she is young. But I do not think that my racing with her will happen soon."

On the last day of October, Nora and eight other women including her mother Shahrzad Nazifi competed in Iran's only motocross race in the MX2 category, set up by Xanyar motorbike club. She beat her mother, a stiff rival.

"It was an exciting day for me, I won fair and square," Nora said, looking at her mother sitting next to her.

Nora's mother, who is 38-years-old and has biked for 22 years, said: "Of course she is younger and has more potential; she is also more technical than me and that is why she won."

Nora, together with her mother and father, brother and husband managed to conquer the 3,900 meters summit (12,800 foot) of Mount Toochal near Tehran on trial bikes, another first in Iran.

Nora's dream is to promote motocross among Iranian women looking to practice sports involving excitement and skill.

"My mum and I, as pioneers of this sport in Iran, want to spread it as an exciting sport for all through the Xanyar club, where both of us are in charge of training women. I am currently training three other women. A lot of women do not know that this sport exists," Nora said.

State-run television rarely shows women's sports events though many Iranian women are avid sports enthusiasts and practitioners.

Several have won medals in international tournaments that have allowed them to compete while wearing headscarves and observing Islamic dress code, notably Sara Khoshjamal-Fekri, 21.

She became a heroine at home as the first Iranian female taekwondo Olympic qualifier and was listed by Time magazine as one of the "100 Olympic Athletes to Watch" at the Beijing 2008 Games, where she made it to the 16th round before being knocked out in quarter finals.

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