Naval Academy grad Billy Hurley III blasts out of a sand trap on the 14th hole Thursday at the AT&T National. (Associated Press photo by Patrick Semansky)
Some rapid-fire Friday military sports links. Get your mouse ready.
Hurley’s huge day. Naval Academy graduate Billy Hurley III shot an opening-round 2-under-par 69 on Thursday at the AT&T National outside Washington, D.C., putting him two behind the leader entering today’s play. Follow the leaderboard here. Key quote from Hurley on why he’s not bothered by the D.C. area heat: “It was 110 in the shade in the Persian Gulf.”
More golf. Stay tuned to After Action and the Military Times websites over the weekend for updates from the AT&T National, a military-friendly affair. Prefer watching the old guys? Click here for a report from the Sacramento Bee on Dennis Webb, a retired Air Force pilot who qualified earlier this week for the U.S. Senior Open, which begins July 12 at Indianwood Golf and Country Club in Lake Orion, Mich.
From golf to gridiron. With Induction Day in the books, the Naval Academy has released its official football recruiting class, with 58 prospects from 19 states, according to the official release. While the freshman settle in, it’s a senior who’s making some unwelcome headlines: Patrick Stevens of The Washington Times reports inside linebacker Matt Brewer, who was fourth on the team in tackles last year, was suspended for violating school rules during spring practice and is “out pretty much the whole year,” coach Ken Niumatalolo said. Possible silver lining: This Scout.com recruiting-class profile lists a middle linebacker, Tyler Goble, as Navy’s top incoming freshman.
Quick Big East update. Interim conference commissioner Joe Bailey tells the Hartford (Conn.) Courant that everything’s fine in Big East-land under the new four-team college football playoff system. Forbes.com sports columnist Chris Smith finishes his take on the new setup by asking whether the Big East will exist in five years. They can’t both be right.
Olympic coaching news. Staff Sgt. Shon Lewis will be one of three volunteer Greco-Roman wrestling coaches to accompany Team USA to the London Olympics, according to this TheMat.com report. Lewis, who helped coach Team USA at the 2004 and 2008 games, works with Sgt. 1st Class Dremiel Byers, Sgt. Spenser Mango and Spc. Justin Lester in the Army World Class Athlete Program. The women’s freestyle team also named its volunteer assistants, with Keith Wilson taking one of the spots. Wilson competed in Greco-Roman wrestling as both a soldier and a Marine, according to TheMat.com.
