Mark Spezia

2 weeks ago | mycitymag.com | Mark Spezia

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley became mesmerized by the enthralling events and sheer spectacle of the Midwest Invitational Rodeo as he watched it unfold one year at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Belleville. The two-day event celebrates more than a century of the African American cowboy’s impact which has often been overlooked by history books and Hollywood. It has been estimated that nearly 25% of all cowboys following the Civil War were Black.

3 weeks ago | theoaklandpress.com | Mark Spezia

ANN ARBOR — Michigan’s Fred Richard and Paul Juda finished first and second in the all-around and Wolverines team total of 332.224 edged them past five-time defending champion Stanford (332.961) on Saturday to win their first NCAA men’s gymnastics title since 2014. Juda, the individual champion on the parallel bars with a score of 14.200 and host Michigan’s last competitor of the day, scored a 13.966 on the vault to clinch the program’s seventh national title.

1 month ago | theoaklandpress.com | Mark Spezia

By The Associated PressFormer Michigan State guard Tre Holloman is on his way to N.C. State. The Wolfpack shared one of Holloman’s social media posts Sunday that said he had committed to the school and showed him in its gear. Another social post from Holloman announced the move using song lyrics from rapper G Herbo: “When I was the underdog, still I put the bank on me.”Holloman averaged 9.1 points and 3.7 assists per game last season as a junior for the Spartans.

1 month ago | theoaklandpress.com | Mark Spezia

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Connor Hellebuyck will knock on Scott Arniel’s door or pull his head coach aside for a brief chat. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender usually has one specific question before a road trip. “What days we have off and should he bring his fishing gear?” Arniel said with a smile. “He’s extremely focused there … and then when he gets to the rink, he does not want to get scored on.”Opponents have once again found that a challenge in 2024-25.

1 month ago | flowrestling.org | Mark Spezia

From injury woes to lineup challenges and some disappointing defeats, this season has thrown its share of adversity at the Michigan wrestling program. Coach Sean Bormet, however, is elated that the Wolverines have emerged from it all to keep an impressive streak intact. For the 15th consecutive season, Michigan is sending at least seven wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, where Bormet is hoping the Wolverines can extend their streak of top 10 finishes to nine.