My stories from the Indianapolis 500
Posted: May 29, 2012 Filed under: Indy 500, NSJC Leave a comment »Barrichello gets chance to drive on famed track in his first Indy 500 - May 27, 2012
Hildebrand ready to move on from crash that lost him last year’s Indy 500 - May 26, 2012
My stories from Indiana Pacers-Miami Heat NBA playoffs series
Posted: May 29, 2012 Filed under: Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, NBA Leave a comment »Aching, creaky Mike Miller steps up for Heat in Game 6 - May 25, 2012
Pacers react to Spoelstra’s comments about their hard fouls - May 24, 2012
Pacers’ Danny Granger on Game 6: ‘I’m playing’ - May 24, 2012
Pacers working on how to stop Wade and James - May 21, 2012
Third quarter continues to be key in Heat-Pacers series - May 20, 2012
Pacers know taking Game 4 is critical - May 19, 2012
Pacers’ George Hill looking for ‘mustard,’ not ‘ketchup’ on home court - May 17, 2012
My stories from the Kentucky Derby
Posted: May 15, 2012 Filed under: Kentucky Derby | Tags: Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby, Louisville Leave a comment »Races, bets don’t stop after Run for the Roses - May 6, 2012
Horse identifiers find identity in Churchill Downs paddock - May 5, 2012
Replacing Kentucky Oaks jockey becomes race for trainer - May 4, 2012
Brodie Smith puts Indianapolis AlleyCats on Ultimate Disc map
Posted: May 15, 2012 Filed under: Indy Star, Ultimate Disc | Tags: Brodie Smith, Indianapolis, Indy Star, Ultimate Disc Leave a comment »By Josh Weinfuss
(Indianapolis) Star correspondent
Everyone across the American Ultimate Disc League knew how good Brodie Smith was. They knew if they could get him on their team, it could be the difference between winning and falling into sports obscurity in their towns.
Months before the inaugural AUDL season began in April, the Smith Sweepstakes was in full effect.
Most of the country doesn’t know who Smith is, but one search on YouTube will prove that he’s the biggest star in ultimate disc (imagine touch football with a Frisbee).
And he’s playing in Indianapolis.
Marion County softball: Not even Mother Nature can keep Perry Meridian from title
Posted: May 15, 2012 Filed under: High School, Indy Star, Softball | Tags: High School, Indy Star, Softball Leave a comment »By Josh Weinfuss
(Indianapolis) Star correspondent
The yells coming out of the visiting dugout Wednesday night were signs that something good just happened.
It was relief, however, more than anything.
After two decades of playing softball in Marion County tournaments without a championship, Perry Meridian doesn’t have to wait another year — or another day.
The Falcons won their first county title in 20 years with a 3-0 victory over host Franklin Central.
The game, set for Monday night at Ben Davis, was rescheduled after a rainout.
Weather again affected the championship game Wednesday night when lightning following by rain sent both teams to their dugouts for a 48-minute delay.
But rain or shine, Perry Meridian pitcher Abbey Ketchem was locked in. She didn’t overpower the Flashes (15-6), instead picking her spots carefully. Ketchem allowed three hits and retired 14-of-15 batters from the first through fifth innings.
Age is no factor for women’s rugby player Amy Hale, 44
Posted: May 15, 2012 Filed under: Indy Star, Rugby | Tags: Indianapolis Hoydens, Indy Star, Rugby Leave a comment »By Josh Weinfuss
(Indianapolis) Star correspondent
The tackler wrapped her arms around Amy Hale’s waist and took out her legs. It was a textbook rugby tackle.
Hale fell to the ground, a mix of grass, sand and dirt, but it felt more like a concrete slab. The 44-year-old rugby player got up with abrasions on both elbows and scrapes on her left knee. And she kept on playing.
“The first time I got tackled, I questioned what the heck I was doing out there,” Hale said. “I am too old for this game. I have no business being out here. What the heck am I doing?
“And then a girl got the ball and she’s coming toward me and I forgot all of that stuff in order to tackle her.”
Hale is the oldest member of the Indianapolis Hoydens, a women’s rugby club that travels around the Midwest.
The long-term-care nurse tries not to play the role of team mom, even though she has teammates as young as 18. But when a teammate goes down with an injury, Hale is usually the first on the scene.
Brazilian Fabiano Vieira wins Professional Bull Riders event in Indy
Posted: April 16, 2012 Filed under: Indy Star, Professional Bull Riding Leave a comment »By Josh Weinfuss
(Indianapolis) Star correspondent
Fabiano Vieira quietly sat in the chute atop Who Dat.
The 1,640-pound bull stood as still as if he really was in a china shop while Vieira bowed his head under his tan cowboy hat and prayed.
Next to him, as Chase Outlaw rubbed rosin on his bull rope, he tightened it around Party All The Time before the penultimate ride of the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Invitational at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon.
As Vieira and Who Dat waited quietly, Party All The Time was enjoying himself too much, bucking his head out of the chute twice before Outlaw’s ride.
After Outlaw was bucked 7.02 seconds into his ride — he slammed his helmet against his leg in frustration — Vieira was in control of his own fate. He needed 87 points to win.
Small but crafty Asteroid one tough PBR competitor
Posted: April 16, 2012 Filed under: Indy Star, Professional Bull Riding Leave a comment »By Josh Weinfuss
(Indianapolis) Star correspondent
He has a Napoleon complex but doesn’t know it.
He’s smaller than his peers but faster, tougher and better than them.
He outthinks his competition, and it has allowed him to conquer everyone who crosses his path. They think he’ll go right and he goes left. They tempt him and he’ll fight them.
He’s not an all-star point guard or All-American tailback.
He is Asteroid, and Asteroid is a bull.
Former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight chokes up in praising IU fans
Posted: April 12, 2012 Filed under: College basketball, Indy Star Leave a comment »By Josh Weinfuss
(Indianapolis ) Star correspondent
CARMEL, Ind. — Bob Knight has never been one to mask his emotions.
Before the 71-year-old former Indiana University basketball coach walked off stage during a speech at The Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday night, he leaned on the podium and looked down for a moment.
“I will tell you this without reservation: In my experiences, everywhere I’ve been, I have never come across fans that were as good to the team, as good to the coaches, as involved in trying to root as hard as they could to help a team to win as we have in Indiana,” Knight said, his voice starting to shake. “On the day that I die, I will be grateful to have been able to coach with fans like you.”
Knight choked up and the 1,600 in attendance showed their appreciation for The General with a standing ovation.
