SPORTS WRAP
The Week in Review:
Latest heat victim: The brutal summer heat wave strikes the Colonial Downs horse races Friday, July 22 to claim the life of 22-year-old Puerto Rican jockey Emanuel Sanchez. Following his race on a steamy afternoon, Sanchez was last seen leaving the track to take a shower after complaining of dizziness and other symptoms of heat exhaustion. He was later found unconscious on the shower floor and was rushed to a nearby Richmond hospital. His condition worsened, and after slipping into coma, he was pronounced dead July 23. "All the jockeys and valets and other racing personnel are deeply saddened by this turn of events and the loss of Emanuel," Colonial Downs General Manager John Mooney told the Daily Progress. "All of our regrets and prayers go out to his family."
Biggest UVA lacrosse addict: Hannon Wright just cannot seem to get away from the UVA men's lacrosse program. Coach Dom Starsia's former goalie (1996-99) earned three letters and helped lead the squad to Starsia's first national championship in 1999. Wright extended his stay at UVA to study law, then returned in 2002 as a volunteer assistant coach for two seasons, leaving again with the sweet taste of glory after 2003's national title. Now Starsia has announced that Wright will return as the official assistant coach to help guide a team that fell just shy of last season's NCAA championship contest.
Worst time to hit the books: Even with another promising UVA football season on the horizon, it appears that the Cavaliers are already shorthanded a week before official practices open. The team's 2005 media guide notes four players missing from the projected roster at the ACC Football Kickoff in Hot Springs Sunday, July 24. It was soon discovered that offensive lineman D.J. Bell, cornerback Phillip Brown, linebacker Devonta Brown, and wide receiver Ron Morton will all miss the season due to their failure to meet the NCAA academic eligibility standards.
Most complete basketball life: After a stellar career at UVA (1993-96), and 8-l/2 solid seasons in the WNBA, Wendy Palmer-Daniel continues to stay one step ahead of the game. The Wahoos' all time leading rebounder and current San Antonio Silver Stars forward has agreed to join Virginia Commonwealth University women's basketball coach Beth Cunningham as part-time assistant coach beginning in September. "The game has been so good to me for so long," 30-year-old Palmer-Daniel told The Progress. "It's given me so much. This seems like a good way to start giving something back." Palmer-Daniel anticipates spending the WNBA off-season (fall and winter months) coaching the Rams before she returns to her team training camp in April.
A LOOK TWO WEEKS AHEAD
BASEBALL:
Washington Nationals (55-44)
vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (44-54)
August 2-4 @ 7:05pm
vs. San Diego Padres (50-49)
August 5-6 @ 7:05pm
August 7 @ 1:05pm
While the Nats struggle to score runs, the team finds itself tied for first place and in prime playoff position as the season enters its stretch run. Tickets: $7-55.
Richmond Braves (36-67)
vs. Durham Bulls (44-58)
August 9-10 @ 7pm
vs. Charlotte Knights (36-65)
August 11-12 @ 7pm
The only place to go is up as the Braves take on their lowly division rivals. Tickets $3-9.
MYSTICS BASKETBALL
vs. Charlotte Sting (3-18)
August 2 @ 8pm
vs. Indiana Fever (13-7)
August 7 @ 7:30pm
vs. Connecticut Sun (16-5)
August 11 @ 7pm
The season hits its halfway point with Mystics (11-10) guard Alana Beard qualifying for the all-star team and the team riding a two-game winning streak through a tight Eastern Conference playoff race. Tickets $8-20.