Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell has a home in the Isleworth golf and residential community near Orlando and lives less than a mile from Tiger Woods. Until they came up here last week for the holidays, Longwell’s wife and children had to deal with the intense media coverage of the Woods story that has caused national attention. With helicopters over head and media outside the gated community, it has all been annoying for Longwell’s family and other neighbors.
Longwell said he and his wife had to explain to their young children what all the fuss is about, saying that “Tiger had made some really, really bad decisions and bad choices in not putting his family first.”
Vikings rookie running back Ian Johnson, on the practice squad this year, told Sports Headliners he’s learned “what a business” the NFL is. He hopes to be on the field playing for the Vikings next year, or with another NFL team, or even playing in Canada.
Blake Hoffarber, who set the school record for a single game with eight three pointers on Tuesday night, has improved his defense, according to coach Tubby Smith who likes Hoffarber’s defensive fundamentals. Hoffarber is converting .483 percent of his three point field goal attempts after making only .341 percent last season. Smith said one reason for the improvement is Hoffarber has stopped dipping the ball in his shooting approach. “He’s got great mechanics, great form,” Smith said.
Wild right wing Martin Havlat has seven points (two goals and five assists) in his last five games. The Wild have won four of those games.
Defenseman Tyler Cuma, a 2008 Wild first round draft choice, was recently added to the roster for Canada’s World Junior selection camp. He joins Wild prospects Matt Hackett (goalie) and Marco Scandella (defense) on the roster.
Three MIAC women’s soccer players have been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III All-America team. Macalester’s Maddie Mette was a second team honoree. Concordia’s Sam Johnson and St. Thomas’ Kirsten Moran were third team selections.
Three MIAC football players will participate in the Tazón de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) tomorrow at a site near Mexico City. Bethel’s Tim Cornish (cornerback) and Jared Lyle (nose guard), and St. Thomas’ Jeffrey Hilliard (cornerback) will play on Team Stars and Stripes against the Tec Monterrey All-Stars of Mexico. The American roster consists of 52 Division III players while the Tec Monterrey All-Stars are from two Mexican campuses.
The Lynx earlier this week selected six-year WNBA veteran and All-Star Rebekkah Brunson in the Dispersal Draft involving Sacramento Monarchs players. The Lynx have four players on their roster who played in the WNBA All-Star game during their careers: Seimone Augustus (2006, 2007), Nicky Anosike (2009), Charde Houston (2009) and Brunson (2007).