ATHLETE

Mar 16 2026SPORTS

Student Athletes Shine in Fayetteville’s Spring Sports Surge

The spring season in Fayetteville is heating up after the winter basketball championships wrapped up. Local high schools have seen standout performances that now set the stage for this week’s “Athlete of the Week” nominees. In baseball, a dramatic 11‑strikeout no‑hitter drew attention and several

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Mar 16 2026SPORTS

High‑School Sports Stars Shine in Weekly Fan Vote

Each Monday, the local paper posts a new list of high‑school athletes who could win the “Boys Athlete of the Week” award, thanks to a partnership with a community health group. Coaches from Sarasota and Manatee counties send in their players’ stats, and the readers decide who gets the top spot. The

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Mar 14 2026SPORTS

Kevin Vallejos: From Batán to the UFC Octagon

Kevin Vallejos grew up in Batán, a quiet town near Mar del Plata in Argentina. He began training in mixed‑martial arts when he was 16, just for fun. The idea of fighting in the UFC never crossed his mind at first. In September 2023, he faced Jean Silva on Dana White’s Contender Series. He lost and

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Mar 14 2026BUSINESS

From Court Champion to Billionaire Legend

Roger Federer stopped playing professional tennis in September 2022 after a doubles match at the Laver Cup. His final score added to an already shining career that earned him 103 titles. Years later, Federer’s name appears on the 2026 billionaire list with a net worth of about $1. 1 billion, accord

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Mar 12 2026SPORTS

Sports Legends and Their Priceless Pieces

In the world of collectibles, a few items can fetch staggering prices. These objects are not just worn or printed; they carry stories that fans and investors cherish. The most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold is a jersey worn by Babe Ruth during the 1932 World Series. The shirt earned $24.

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Mar 07 2026SPORTS

Gunnar Henderson: A Small‑Town Star with Big Roots

The Baltimore Orioles’ young outfielder, born in Montgomery and raised in Selma, Alabama, shows how a supportive family can turn local talent into a major league presence. Growing up in a close‑knit community, his parents Allen and Kerry encouraged his love for baseball from the first swing. Their g

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Mar 07 2026SPORTS

German Roots and Baseball Grit

Kyle Schwarber grew up in Ohio with a family that blends German and Latin heritage. His father, a former police officer, and his mother, a nurse, raised him along with three sisters in a disciplined household. The family’s ancestry traces back to a great‑great‑grandfather who left Baden, Germany for

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Mar 07 2026SPORTS

Griffin Jax: From High‑School Pitcher to Air Force Officer

Griffin Jax was born in Phoenix, Arizona on November 22, 1994, and grew up in Colorado where baseball became his passion. In high school he dominated the mound at Cherry Creek, earning a 7–1 record and a low ERA that earned him Colorado’s Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year award. Despite bei

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Mar 06 2026SPORTS

Quiet Power: How a Japanese Pitcher Rose from School Fields to the Pro League

Hiromi Itoh, born on August 31, 1997, grew up in Japan and now pitches for the Hokkaido Nippon‑Ham Fighters. His journey began in local after‑school baseball clubs, where the focus on discipline and repetition laid a solid foundation. During high school, he faced fierce competition in regional to

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Mar 06 2026SPORTS

Winter Paralympics: Six Sports, Big Stories

The 2026 Winter Paralympics begin in Milan and Cortina, drawing more than 600 athletes who will vie for 79 medals across six events. These games bring a mix of speed, skill and teamwork that showcases the resilience of athletes with diverse abilities. Para alpine skiing is a highlight, featuring fi

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