HEERENVEEN, Netherlands – Japan’s Olympic 1000-meter champion Miho Takagi narrowly lost to Dutch rival Jutta Leerdam over the distance Friday at this season’s third World Cup speed skating round in the Netherlands.

Skating in the first pairing, Takagi clocked 1 minute, 14.29 seconds and remained in position for the gold medal until Leerdam shaved 0.12 second off her time while racing in the final pairing.

Dutch sprinter Femke Kok took bronze in 1:14.46, while Japan’s Rio Yamada and Yukino Yoshida were seventh and ninth, respectively, at the Thialf arena in Heerenveen.

The 31-year-old Takagi said she struggled on her final lap and was surprised to remain in the lead for so long, as several opponents also finished well outside their best times.

“I lost two seconds (on the final lap) and felt like I wasn’t doing too well, but the others also had slower times than I expected,” she said.

“It was a strange feeling. I thought it would be tough to get on the podium, so I’m glad I was able to make it. I’m deeply regretting my lack of finishing ability at the end.”

In the men’s 1,500, U.S. star Jordan Stolz smashed the track record with a time of 1:42.55 to remain unbeaten this season.

This season’s four World Cup rounds serve as qualification events for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Just a few months after hiring an athletics and activities director, Oxbow High is once again on the hunt for a new individual to oversee its sports. 

Bill Hopkins, whose hiring as the school’s new athletics and activities director was announced in August, has resigned, effective Jan. 4, Heather Lawler, the Orange East Supervisory Union superintendent of schools, confirmed during a phone interview earlier this week. 

“He’s giving us some time to hire and do an overlap between his departure and bringing in the new person,” Lawler said. 

Hopkins, 78, who came to Bradford, Vt., from Springfield, Mo., cited health reasons for his resignation in a phone interview. 

“I liked the job, I liked the people, especially the principal, who is my immediate supervisor, is excellent,” Hopkins said. “In fact, all of the teaching staff, the coaches — I really enjoyed the coaches — good group.” 

Hopkins, who previously coached gymnastics at Southeast Missouri State University and served as the Lindbergh School District’s director of activities and sports in St. Louis, replaced Heidi Wright at Oxbow, who departed this past summer. 

“We thank Bill for his service to our students, coaches, advisors, and community while in this position,” Lawler said in a news release announcing Hopkins’ upcoming departure. 

Lawler said that there has been “quite a bit of interest” from the community in the new opening and was hopeful they would find a qualified interim athletics and activities director. 

While the job posting notes that the position is an interim one, it states, “A strong performance will result in a strong internal candidacy for the AD Position for the 26-27 school year.” 

“We’re really looking for stability and longevity in the role,” Lawler said. The district is also looking for someone who can be a good role model, is organized, and community-minded, among other attributes. 

Lawler also noted that the requirements for a candidate have been amended in that individuals without a bachelor’s degree will be considered. Previously, the position required a bachelor’s degree, with a master’s degree preferred. 

“We’re really opening it up, because what we want is that person, the community connector, the person who can build the program and connect to families and students,” Lawler said. 

An interim is anticipated to be named “as soon as possible,” according to the news release. It adds that information on the process for picking a permanent fixture for the role will be announced at a later date. 

Communication is the focus for the Franklin Tech boys basketball team heading into the new season.

After a down season last year, the Eagles are hyper-focused on improving that aspect of their game early on in the preseason. With players coming from different schools, the chemistry isn’t always there for the Eagles.

“We don’t communicate enough,” Franklin Tech coach George Gutierrez said. “They haven’t played enough with each other. It’s like they come in and they don’t have trust and don’t communicate with each other. We just don’t talk enough. If we can start talking on defense we will be fine.”

The ultra quick Nolyn Stafford plays the point for Franklin Tech.

“I like to set an example for the young kids,” Stafford said. “Helping my team with the plays and all that.”

Stafford pointed at something that the Eagles will not be lacking this season.

“The most hustling team,” Stafford said. “More energy than most teams. We are going to give it our all. We can improve talking and communication. More leadership from the older kids. Just putting more work into practice.”

Gutierrez lauded the skills of Stafford, who is quick with the ball and can score around the rim.

“He’s gonna be the leader,” Gutierrez said. “He’s an all-around player.”

Hunter Donahue and Brody Hicks do the dirty work for the team.

“They are my defenders,” Gutierrez said. “They will tip every pass and get every rebound.”

Both players get after loose balls and will do anything to secure a possession. The team can create offense on the defensive end.

“I can expect a lot of defense,” Donahue said. “Talking on defense. Playing really aggressive and using our defense to our advantage.”

Hicks and Donahue can do some scoring for the Eagles as well. Franklin Tech is working on chemistry.

“We know each other,” Donahue said. “We just try our best and do all we can to build chemistry.”

Cole and Mason Bassett provide much needed size on both ends of the floor for the Eagles.

“They are going to have to step up as sophomores,” Gutierrez said.

The Eagles went 5-15 last season and missed the playoffs. Franklin Tech plays in the Tri-County North league with Mohawk and Turners Falls.

Franklin Tech opens its season against St. Mary’s at home in the Holiday Classic on Thursday, Dec. 11.

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers this week announced that quarterback Jordan Love has been selected as the team’s nominee for the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

The award is the league’s most prestigious honor, recognizing players who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact beyond the game.

Love’s commitment to community impact began when he entered the league in 2020 and has deepened since becoming the Packers’ starting quarterback, the club said in a news release.

In May 2024, he launched his foundation, Hands of 10ve, to empower children from all backgrounds to participate in sports, raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention and foster stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve – all causes deeply personal to him.

Through 10ve for Cleats, a Hands of 10ve initiative, Love donates cleats to an entire youth sports team for every touchdown scored during the season. In its first year, the program donated more than 1,300 pairs of cleats to 26 Wisconsin teams, and it is now expanding to include his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif. Hands of 10ve also hosts annual impact events including the Green Bay Charity Softball Game, youth football camps in Bakersfield and Milwaukee, winter coat drives and holiday shopping sprees for local children.

Throughout his career, Love has participated in fundraising initiatives for the Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay, Rawhide Youth Services and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation, using his platform to advance their missions and make a tangible difference. A steadfast advocate for mental health awareness, Love has sponsored community walks in Brown County and Kern County to raise visibility for organizations dedicated to suicide prevention and supporting those affected by loss. In April, Love visited the Kern County Youth Detention Center in Bakersfield to share a message about resilience and the importance of making positive choices, ultimately surprising each at-risk youth attendee with a $20,000 scholarship toward trade school or college. Within the law enforcement community, Love has raised awareness and funds for the Bakersfield Police Activities League (PAL) through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative and has served as a keynote speaker at conferences, encouraging open dialogue around mental health while actively working to build stronger, more compassionate relationships between officers and the communities they serve.

“We are pleased to name Jordan Love as our club winner for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award,” said Packers President and CEO Ed Policy. “It’s been a privilege to watch him grow as a leader during his time with the Packers, both in the locker room and in the community. We have been proud to support his dedication to giving back, and we look forward to seeing how he continues to have an impact in Wisconsin and California through his Hands of 10ve Foundation. We are honored to have Jordan represent the Green Bay Packers, on and off the field.”

All 32 club winners will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area. The national winner of the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special airing on Thursday, Feb. 5.

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Edward Anthony Marn, 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Madison Rehab and Nursing Home, in Morgantown.
Born on December 26, 1931, in Lansing, Ohio, Edward’s life was marked by dedication to his family, his community, and his country.

As a young man, Ed served with honor in the United States Air Force. His patriotic service was a point of great pride and set the foundation for his lifelong commitments to both leadership and mentorship.
After his military service, he embarked on a distinguished career in banking and became a well-respected figure during his 17-year tenure as President of the New Martinsville Bank, as well as an executive at Ormet Credit Union until his retirement. His professional integrity and approachable leadership style left a long-lasting imprint on the industry and those who worked alongside him.
Ed met the love of his life, Helen Hundley, at Keesler Air Force Base and they shared a blissful marriage of 71 years. The legacy of their enduring partnership includes children: Cindy Marn of Westover, Karen Biggs (Jimmy) of Aberdeen, Md., Michael Marn (Patty) of Red Lion, Pa., Mary Eberhardt (Keith Bayles) of Uniontown, Pa., and Beth Monroe (Terry) of Alma. He also has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A devout Catholic, Ed was an active member of Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Paden City, where he served as a Minister of the Eucharist and shared his faith as a teacher of CCD and Acolytes for many years. Later, he continued his worship at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Star City. His faith was a cornerstone of his life, guiding him through both trials and celebrations.
Beyond his professional and spiritual contributions, Ed had a vivacious passion for life and culture. He was an avid golfer and fisherman, a devoted Mountaineers fan, and enjoyed following Ohio State, Duke and Notre Dame in various sports.
Ed was also a gifted storyteller, with many enthralled by his knowledge of history, especially military history. His voice was one of harmony, not only in life but literally as a member of his Barbershop Quartet, “The Mason Dixonaires.”
His philanthropic spirit was evident in his contribution to youth sports, where he coached softball for his daughters. He believed in nurturing the potential of the young and was a positive influence on many young lives.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony Sylvester Marn and Mary Zoladz Marn; as well as his brother, Anthony “Babe” Marn.
Friends may gather at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Paden City, from 3 to 4 p.m., the time of a Mass of Celebration, on Friday, December 26, with Father Joseph Abraham as celebrant.
McCulla Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McCulla.com

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros track & field/cross country teams hosted a free youth clinic Saturday at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville.  
 
The Vaqueros student-athletes took charge of leading the clinic, shuffling participants by age group among four stations that worked on block starts, wickets, jumping and hurdling and offering advice and support. Kids ranging from first to eighth grade were put through drills to help with setting up their blocks, improve reaction times and mechanics, and teach techniques for jumps, hurdles and relays. 
 

This is the third year in a row the track & field/cross country program hosts a free event in Brownsville, welcoming 35 participants to the newly renovated Sams Memorial Stadium. Head coach Shareese Hicks expressed thanks and respect to Brownsville ISD athletic director Gilbert Leal for allowing the program to use the facility. 
 
“They say children are the future, and with our sport, we really, really love to make an impact. We’re trying to train up future Vaqueros and, who knows, even future Olympians. This is always a special event and it’s fun to be around the kiddos,” Hicks said. “We focused on the fundamentals, introducing them to the sport while making sure they’re having fun. It changes from age group to age group – the older ones, we’re really technical with them, the younger ones, it’s more fun and response. Hearing our student-athletes sharing information that they’ve heard directly from their coaches is so rewarding. I’m so proud of this team and the leadership that they show these young people is awe-inspiring. We’re happy to be able to continue to do this and we look forward to many more.” 

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