Over the past four months, the myth of Lance Armstrong has been carefully and systematically dismantled to expose only the unfortunate facts lying beneath. Armstrong, winner of an unprecedented seven straight Tour de France titles from 1999–2005, has been stripped of all competitive results since 1998 by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and will now begin serving a lifetime ban from any event over which the organization presides.
A strong defensive effort in the second half was exactly the spark that Portland State football needed to shake off a slow start and trounce the University of California, Davis 49-21 on Saturday. Senior linebacker Ian Sluss was the centerpiece of the effort, singlehandedly ending four Aggie drives in the fourth quarter and finishing the game with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Sometimes we are presented with an event so awe-inspiring, so unique and so outlandish that we fail to recognize it for its essence. Sometimes we are so taken aback by what we have witnessed we can’t seem to define it.
Practices started for the men’s basketball team earlier this month as they prepare for the upcoming season. After finishing third last season in Big Sky play and reaching the semifinals of the conference tournament, hopes are high for another winning season.
The Vikings football team took the field for homecoming on Oct. 6 having lost four straight games. Portland State was in danger of entering the bye week without any momentum to carry into the remainder of the season. After a 77-10 rout of Idaho State at Jeld-Wen Field 10 days ago, the Vikings have renewed hope entering the heart of conference play.
The women of Portland State’s golf team play their final rounds of the fall schedule this week at the University of Washington’s Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational, which finishes Wednesday at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash.
It was never going to be easy replacing Connor Kavanaugh, Portland State’s quarterback. The Vikings coaching staff mulled the decision all summer. Just days before the season opener against Carroll College, head coach Nigel Burton and offensive coordinator Bruce Barnum finally settled on freshman Kieran McDonagh as the starter.
Portland State football opened conference play on Saturday against Big Sky newcomer Southern Utah at Jeld-Wen Field. Prior to the game against the Thunderbirds, the Vikings had already played three non-conference matchups.
FALL SPORTS
Soccer
Having split the Big Sky regular season title in 2011, the Vikings women’s soccer team was picked in the league’s preseason poll as the top team of 2012. “I don’t necessarily think it is any pressure, but it’s nice to hear that people are giving us respect,” coach Laura Schott said.
Sports are going green. In some cases, an initiative might be as simple as the recycling bins that have become a staple of the Rose Garden experience, part of an integrated effort that helped make the arena one of the most sustainable in the nation.