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City Section football notebook: James Boyd is new coach at L.A. Jordan

City Section football notebook: James Boyd is new coach at L.A. Jordan

Yahooa day ago

Former L.A. Jordan quarterback James Boyd, a former City Section player of the year, is the school's new football coach. (Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
The City Section held its annual football coaches meeting Monday in the Rams' locker room at SoFi Stadium, and the newest head coach was introduced. It's 33-year-old James Boyd, who was a star quarterback and four-sport athlete at L.A. Jordan during his high school days, signed with USC as a defensive end and is returning to take over his alma mater.
His high school coach at Jordan, Elijah Asante, is now head coach at Hamilton and said he expects Boyd to do a good job inspiring Jordan players because of his own success story.
A lot of news came out of the meeting.
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View Park Prep dropped its football program for the 2025 season. That might help nearby Crenshaw, which has struggled to fill its football roster.
Terrence Williams has replaced Monty Gilbreath as the football coach at Gardena, which means the Marine League will have new coaches at Gardena, Banning, Carson and Narbonne. The only returning coach is Corey Walsh at San Pedro.
After 13 years of trying, the Los Angeles Unified School District has approved schools to use student body funds to pay for HUDL, which helps coaches handle videos of players and games. Previously, coaches had to write checks, use personal credit cards or seek help from booster clubs.
San Fernando and Sylmar have agreed to play their Valley Mission League game at the Coliseum on Oct. 17. There also will be a girls' flag football game and JV game.
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The City Section has changed its mercy rule. If a team leads by 42 or more points at halftime, a running clock will begin. Also, if a team leads by 35 or more points in the fourth quarter, that leads to a running clock.
Coaches and adults are facing increased penalties if they are ejected from games for unsportsmanlike behavior. Coaches are expected to receive a three-game suspension for being ejected. Parents who are ejected from a game will receive a three-game ban.
The City Section sit-out period for transferring without moving ends on Thursday, Sept. 25. More teams have been playing on Thursdays because of an officials shortage, so this helps teams that would be at a disadvantage if the date was on a Friday.
Official practice begins on July 28.
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Schools must exchange rosters before games.
There was a discussion about adding boys' flag football, but there was no consensus on what part of the school year would be viable and concerns were raised about whether it would further deteriorate 11-man rosters.
Crenshaw coach Robert Garrett will start the season this fall with 290 career victories.
Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising
Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising

Yahoo

time11 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising

After running — or more like barely surviving — my first half-marathon about a decade ago in Las Vegas, I had no desire to participate in a long-distance run ever again. That was until I learned that Nike was hosting the Nike After Dark tour, a women's race series designed to celebrate women and encourage them to get into the sport. The L.A. half-marathon — the tour's only stop in the U.S. — was slated to include a concert with Grammy-winning rapper Doechii at the end of the 13.1 mile race. Given that Nike has built a reputation for curating cool, culture-forward experiences, I figured this would be the perfect way for me to get out of my years-long retirement from running. Plus, several of my friends were participating so it was bound to be a good time. Advertisement Read more: 18 inspiring L.A. run clubs to kickstart your running era After training for several weeks at parks and tracks around L.A., I hit the pavement alongside nearly 15,000 participants — 43% of whom were first-time half-marathoners — on Saturday evening at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The event sparked a lot of online chatter — not all positive — with some runners calling the race disorganized and a marketing event catered to influencers. As for me, I experienced several highs during the energetic event, but also some moments of frustration and confusion. Here's how the night went down, from the starting line (and the journey in getting there) to the high-octane concert finale. Pre-race: Getting to the starting line was a marathon in itself Knowing that thousands of people were expected to participate in the event, I opted to get to the SoFi Stadium about an hour and a half early to avoid traffic. In hindsight, I should've arrived even earlier. Several streets were blocked off due to the race, but once I found the parking lot, it was easy for me to find a spot — much easier than it was at the recent Kendrick Lamar and SZA concert a few weeks prior. (While registration for the race started at $150, parking was thankfully free for those who secured a spot ahead of time.) After experiencing long lines and a delayed start time, runners gather in their assigned corrals to prepare for the 13.1-mile race. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) I followed a herd of people toward the entrance where we went through a security checkpoint, then a bag check line, which took about 30 minutes to get through. Afterward, I rushed outside to find my friends and waited in yet another line — this time for the porta-potties — which took about 40 minutes. The starting line, at last By this time, there were only about 10 minutes until race time and I still needed to stretch, so my group ran over to the starting corrals. The race was initially scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., but an emcee announced that it was being pushed back to 6:45 p.m. This made me nervous because the concert was set for 9:30 p.m., so this meant that I'd have less than three hours to finish if I wanted to catch the show. Advertisement In the weeks leading up to the marathon, some participants took to social media to voice their concerns about Nike changing its course time from four hours — as it stated on the registration form — to three hours. In one Threads post, a runner said: "If the whole purpose of this event was to reclaim running by giving women a space to feel safe running at night, then why wouldn't you be inclusive to runners of all paces?" In response to the feedback, Nike ultimately set the course time to three hours and 17 minutes, allowing for an average mile of 15 minutes per mile, according to a Nike spokesperson. The brand added a shorter course option, which was nine miles, so participants could still cross the finish line, receive a medal (a silver necklace with a giant Nike swoosh) and enjoy the concert. Despite the confusion, people were amped. "I'm at this phase in my life where I really want to prove to myself that I can do hard things," said Ayanna Fox, 29, of Chino Hills, on why she wanted to participate. Misty Garcia, 17, a Venice High School student, said: 'I felt like this race in particular was so interesting because it was going to be mostly women and it's about women empowerment, so I love it.' Advertisement As Charli xcx's "360" played over the speakers, Nike trainers along with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and Olympic hurdler Anna Cockrell, hyped up the crowd as each corral took off. This was the point when my nerves started to kick in because I was eager to get started. About 7:05 p.m., a burst of smoke popped. I was finally off and running. Host Elisa Hernandez, from left, Diljeet Taylor, Anna Cockrell and Jordan Chiles at the Nike After Dark Tour in L.A. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Miles 1-7: The excitement of activations, DJs and cheering fans The first seven miles were the most exhilarating for me. I felt strong and confident about my pace. And for my legs, this stretch was smooth sailing. Hundreds of people were cheering from the sidelines and holding up signs with statements like "You run better than our government," "Hot girls run half marathons" and "Hurry up so we can drink." Drivers along the freeway were honking for us. DJs played upbeat house and hip-hop music. USC's band performed. Between the six- and seven-mile marker, we ran through a tunnel that was filled with flashing red lights and bubble machines. The energy was electric. Supporters cheer and hold signs as runners embark on the Nike After Dark half marathon in L.A. Several brands including Flamingo, Honey Stinger (which gave out free energy gels and snacks) and Beats by Dre had activations along the course. There was even a recovery station with couches, restroom trailers and snacks. Advertisement Read more: I walked 27.4 miles across L.A. in one day on Washington Boulevard. Here's what it taught me Miles 8-10: The pain sets in Just before Mile 8, my headphones died and that's when the hills started to get to me. I felt like I was running up and down a sharp roller coaster. Without music, I was forced to talk myself through the final stretch. But it was in these trenches that I noticed several sweet moments of community care: a volunteer passing out Bengay cream, a group of friends holding up a woman as she limped, runners shouting out their home countries and waving their flags in the wake of the ICE raids that were happening in our city at this very moment. It was a beautiful reminder of how much better we are as people when we support one another. Supporters record and cheer as runners embark on the Nike women's half-marathon at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Around Mile 10, I spotted Chris Bennett, Nike's running global head coach, giving out high-fives and encouraging people to push forward. (He even ran with the last bunch of runners and helped them across the finish line.) (Clockwise from the top left) 1. Taylor Contarino waits in her assigned corral before the Nike After Dark half-marathon. 2. People gather in their assigned corrals. 3. Cassandra Grossman ties her shoes in her assigned corral before the Nike After Dark half-marathon. 4. Runners start the Nike After Dark half-marathon at SoFi Stadium. 5. A large group of runners move through the first turn for the Nike After Dark half-marathon. The final mile — or was it? As I neared the end, I felt bamboozled because there were at least two massive archways that looked like the finish line, but actually weren't. I still had a ways to go. I could've cried tears of joy when I finally reached the end. I clocked in at three hours and three minutes, which I was pleased with because my only goals were to finish, have fun and make it to the concert. The winner was Sofia Camacho, a drag artist and Nike run coach based in New York, who clocked in at one hour, 15 minutes and 25 seconds. Hundreds of supporters line the course as runners embark on the Nike After Dark Tour in Los Angeles. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) After grabbing my medal, I walked as fast as my sore limbs would allow back inside the stadium. The trek felt tortuous because we had to climb up multiple sets of stairs, then journey down a walkway that was roughly 10 levels that felt never-ending until we reached the bottom where the stage was. Some people gave up on watching the show simply because they didn't have the energy to make it down. The grand finale: Doechii brings the energy By the time I got there, I was disappointed to see that Doechii was already on her final two songs of her 30-minute set, but the energy was so high that I quickly forgot and just enjoyed the moment while I could. The show ended just before 10:40 p.m. while some folks were still running including one of my friends who missed the show and wasn't able to get a pair of Barbie pink Nike slides and socks they were passing out. The night ends and yet the trek continues After the show, we were instructed to exit the stadium — thankfully there was an escalator — but I still had to muster up the energy to go back to the entrance at the other side of the stadium so I could retrieve my belongings from the bag check area. My legs were finished by the time I got to my car. Advertisement Aside from some logistical issues and long wait times, I enjoyed participating in the Nike After Dark Tour. The course was challenging but doable, and running alongside thousands of women and allies of various ages and backgrounds at night felt empowering. Runners received a ton of freebies, particularly at the bib pickup at the Grove, which included a dri-fit T-shirt and makeup from Milk. As someone who typically avoids cardio in my workout sessions, this race has inspired me to continue hitting the pavement and exploring this beautiful city on foot. And who knows, I just might sign up for another race. Runners take off for the women's half-marathon, which started at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Sign up for The Wild newsletter to get weekly insider tips on the best of our beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh sets two world swimming records in three days
Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh sets two world swimming records in three days

Yahoo

time11 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh sets two world swimming records in three days

Canada's Summer McIntosh celebrates winning the gold medal in the women's 200-meter individual medley at the 2024 Paris Games. McIntosh set a world record in that event Monday night. (Brynn Anderson / Associated Press) On Monday night, Summer McIntosh won the 200-meter individual medley at the 2025 Canadian swimming trials to set her second world record in just three days. She had already achieved one world record at the trials in Victoria. Advertisement McIntosh won the 200-meter individual medley in 2 minutes, 5.7 seconds. The previous world record of 2:06.12, set by Hungary's Katinka Hosszú, had stood for 10 years. After shaving a second off her previous best time on the backstroke leg, McIntosh was still a tenth of a second off Hosszú's previous record pace at the final turn. But McIntosh crushed the freestyle leg in 29.65 seconds, another personal best, to finish in world-record time. 'It's been one of those records that's always been in the back of my mind since trials two years ago,' the 18-year-old Toronto native said afterward. "I've been knocking on the door on this one. I've just tried to chip away, chip away at it. To finally do it, it's kind of like 'Wow, I've finally got that done.'' Read more: Lopez: Three years away from the Olympics, L.A. is tripping over hurdles and trying to play catchup Advertisement Two days earlier, McIntosh had reclaimed the world record in the 400 freestyle. She first set the mark with 3:56.18 in 2023, but was bested the same year by Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus' 3:55.38. But on Saturday, McIntosh was back on top of the world after swimming a 3:54.18. 'That last 100, I'm usually really, really hurting. But I flipped at the 200, and I was just cruising," McIntosh said. "I knew I was having a strong swim and I could tell by the crowd and the way they were cheering that I was probably close to the world record, so I really tried to push that last part for them.' In between those two historic swims, McIntosh also improved on her Canadian record in the 800 freestyle, with a time of 8:05.07. U.S. swimming star Katie Ledecky holds the world record in that event after finishing in 8:04.12 at the TYR Pro Swim Series in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., last month. McIntosh won four medals at the Paris Olympics last year — three golds (200 butterfly, 200 and 400 IM) and one silver (400 freestyle). She holds the world record in the 400 IM; she swam it in 4:24.38 at last year's Canadian swimming finals. Advertisement With three more days of competition, is there a chance she'll grab a fourth world record before the event is over? Maybe. The 400 IM is scheduled for Wednesday. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Bill Plaschke reveals Parkinson's disease diagnosis: 'It hurts to even say it.'
Bill Plaschke reveals Parkinson's disease diagnosis: 'It hurts to even say it.'

USA Today

time18 hours ago

  • USA Today

Bill Plaschke reveals Parkinson's disease diagnosis: 'It hurts to even say it.'

Bill Plaschke reveals Parkinson's disease diagnosis: 'It hurts to even say it.' Show Caption Hide Caption Kon Knueppel on the drive of former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg Kon Knueppel chats with Bryan Kalbrosky ahead of the NBA Draft about his former teammate Cooper Flagg and what makes him special Sports Seriously Bill Plaschke, the award-winning Los Angeles Times columnist and longtime "Around the Horn" panelist on ESPN, revealed this week that he has Parkinson's disease. He made the announcement as part of an LA Times column about a boxing program he attends for those trying to slow the effects of the condition. "I've got Parkinson's, and it hurts to even say it," Plaschke wrote. "I'm still mobile, still active, I don't have the trademark tremors that distinguish the famously afflicted Michael J. Fox or the late Muhammed Ali but, damn it, I've got it." Plaschke, 66, noted that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's four years ago after feeling weakness in his right arm, but had only told his family until now. The neurodegenerative disease has no cure and progressively impacts how a person moves and speaks. OPINION: Don't forget harsh price NFL players pay Plaschke wrote that it's a struggle for him to get dressed and "my pills come in gallon jugs and I spend entire Dodger games trying to discreetly swallow them in the press box." "I don't smile as much now," he added. "It's harder to smile when afflicted with the trademark Parkinson's masked face. When I FaceTime with my darlin Daisy, I worry she won't see past my dour expression and never know how much her granddaddy loves her." Plaschke has written for the Los Angeles Times since 1988 and became a sports columnist there in 1996. He has been named the national sports columnist of the year by the Associated Press Sports Editors nine times and is a member of the National Sports Media Hall of Fame and California Sports Hall of Fame. He was also one of the original panelists on "Around the Horn," beginning in 2002, and remained a regular contributor to the show until its 23-year run ended last month. Plaschke sounded a hopeful note at the end of his column, citing the inspiration provided by Kaizen Kinetics and everyone else dealing with Parkinson's disease through its boxing program. "I have Parkinson's," Plaschke wrote, "But, by God, it doesn't have me."

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