Breaking News

Local Sports Columns

SMITH: Every racer is different

So you are going to run your first half marathon this year? That’s great, I hope you have chosen the News and Sentinel Half Marathon to break into long distance running. You are not alone in your desire to run this exciting distance. Each year more than two million people globally choose to run in 13.1 mile races, just about double the number that does full marathons. I personally think it is a great length. It’s long enough to challenge you while being short enough that it will not wipe you out for a month. An interesting thing about doing a half marathon is that it is an ...

Hertzel: NCAA’s transfer rules need to be changed

MORGANTOWN — I’m not foolish enough to argue with the NCAA about its own rules. That would be like arguing with Picasso about the meaning of one of his paintings and, we all know, that only he knows what the true meaning is. Beauty, or whatever it was that Picasso was putting on canvas, is truly in the eye of the beholder. So, we aren’t going to knock the NCAA for failing to grant a portal waiver to transfer guard Omar Silverio to play basketball this year for WVU. No sir. Instead, we’re going to ream the NCAA and all connected with it for losing all sight of what the hell ...

BENNETT: Optimism for Parkersburg High School football

It’s hard to believe we are only a week away from prep football getting underway in Ohio. A week from today, area programs Waterford and Frontier open at home. The Wildcats play host to Alexander and the Cougars welcome in fellow Buckeye State program Bridgeport. Things are a week behind here in West Virginia, but I made my second official visit for media day on Saturday morning at Stadium Field. Second-year Parkersburg head coach Matt Kimes knows it’s going to be another difficult season in terms of dealing with the powers in the Mountain State Athletic Conference, but there’s ...

SMITH: The way I see It

Half marathon is a chance to be part of something big The News and Sentinel Half Marathon is in two weeks – it’s not too late for you to become part of the epic event by either running or walking in the 13.1-mile half marathon, or its sibling, the News and Sentinel Two-Mile Race. I have now been involved with the races for 21 years. There is a great group of people that help stage the event every year. Hundreds of volunteers give up their Saturday morning on the third Saturday in August every year to put on the huge event. They do things like hand out water, pass out awards, ...

BENNETT: Good vibes at Eastern

It’s that time of year again. Football season is up and rolling and I was able to start my rounds on Saturday at Eastern High School with the Eagles. I’ve known second-year head coach Jason Jackson for quite a long time and he’s never afraid to tell you how things are, whether it’s good or not so good. The EHS coaching staff was able to help the team to a 9-3 campaign last fall and a berth in the second round of the Buckeye State playoffs. After spending some time at media day talking with coach Jackson as well as senior players Rylee Barrett and Brandon Oldaker, I get the ...

SMITH: Market Street a fitting finish line for News and Sentinel Half Marathon

Half marathon concludes in the historic center of Parkersburg If you run either the News and Sentinel Half Marathon or Two-Mile Race you will start and end at two locations that have been used for decades to begin and conclude the races. The races both start near the intersection of Third and Juliana streets. A white line is painted across the street to mark where runners will line up the morning of Aug. 19. Normally traffic flows into the area from the off ramp for Route 50, from up the section of Juliana Street that connects with Second Street, and from Third Street. On the ...