Community Notes Highlight Local Parks and Youth Programs
Volunteers celebrate the Yakkity-Yak Playground with many thanks. The report covers the Softball League underway, summer programs at J.C. Toasler Center, free tennis lessons in July, and 1998 Youth Football registration. Also mentions Father’s Day wishes and city recreation staff led by Robin Lefler.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Parks and Recreation Department
Herb Sims
Tom Lefler
Robin Lefler
Bluefield
Novotna Wins Eastbourne Title Over Vicario
Jana Novotna defeated Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 6 1 7 5 to claim the Eastbourne grass court championship. It was her 21st career title, second of the year, and first on grass, earning $79,000.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jana Novotna
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
Eastbourne
Wimbledon
Fesr
Sana
England
Rafter advances to Heineken Trophy final at Rosmalen
Top seed Patrick Rafter defeated Dennis van Scheppingen 6-3 6-4 in the Heineken Trophy semifinal at Rosmalen to set up a final against unseeded Czech Martin Damm who beat Jan Siemerink 7-6 6-3. Julie Halard won the women's final 6-3 6-4 over Miriam Oremans.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rosmalen
Netherlands
Patrick Rafter
Dennis van Scheppingen
Rafter
Martin Damm
Damm
Jan Siemerink
Julie Halard
France
Miriam Oremans
van Scheppingen
Richard Krajicek
Krajicek
All England
Bjorkman Tops Black To Claim Nottingham Open Title
Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman, ranked No. 9 on the ATP Tour, defeated Byron Black of Zimbabwe 6-3, 6-2 in Nottingham to win the grass court event. Bjorkman, eyeing Wimbledon, will be seeded No. 11 and said he feels stronger and more confident. He broke Black twice in the first set and twice in the second after a 2-2 start. Semifinalist Jerome Golmard fell 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 as showers forced indoors play.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nottingham
England
Sweden
Jonas Bjorkman
Byron Black
Zimbabwe
Bjorkman
Black
Australia
Jerome Golmard
France
Vic
Sampras Favored Despite Slump Ahead of Wimbledon
Wimbledon opens with Pete Sampras facing a career slump as he seeks to rebound from no semifinals in the last three Grand Slams and a temporary loss of the world No. 1 ranking. Bookmakers still view him as the man to beat at 6-4 favorite, while Hingis heads a strong field with Venus Williams, Serena Williams and Anna Kournikova in a tough draw.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wimbledon
England
Pete Sampras
Marcelo Rios
Sampras
Michael Jordan
France
London
Andre Agassi
Martina Hingis
Hingis
Venus Williams
Serena Williams
Anna Kournikova
Novotna Triumphs In Straight Sets At Eastbourne
Novotna dominates Sanchez Vicario in a quick opening set breaking thrice and racing to a 4 0 lead before clinching a 28 minute set. Vicario later treats a right leg injury and returns to push the second set, but Novotna seizes control as the Spaniard tightens with a strapped thigh.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sanchez Vicario
Novotna
Eastbourne
Martina Hingis
Little League Season Memory Promotes Community Support
Frances Wayland, president of Bluefield West Virginia Little League, notes a 1998 season marked by memorable projects at Sam's where minor and major league players helped for two two hour sessions. T ball helper Matthew Altice and brother Christopher urged donations as Matthew charmed supporters.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Frances Wayland
Bluefield
Dooley Johnson Captures US Vale Tudo Heavyweight Title
Welch native Dooley Johnson, a Jiu Jitsu stylist with Team Jessee, won the heavyweight division at the 6th Vale Tudo Championships at Westover Community Center. He defeated a black belt Russian Sambo artist in 1.22 seconds of the second round after the referee stopped the bout due to injury. Johnson credited training and team support, while Coach Rick Jessee hailed the victory as a milestone for Dooley and the team. Johnson plans to defend the title in Richmond in November and pursue other weight divisions. Fighters from multiple states competed in five minute rounds in this Portuguese-named no-holds-barred event drawing entrants from across the region.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnson
Rick Jessee
Dooley
Jessee
Richmond
New York
California
Pennsylvania
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Georgia
BC Night at Hunnicutt Promotes Bluefield Devil Rays Game
Bluefield College hosts a promotional night at Hunnicutt Field on Saturday June 27 during Appalachian League play between the Princeton Devil Rays and cross county Bluefield Orioles. First 100 fans receive sunglasses, plus BC items. Dean of Students Rodd Welker will throw out the first pitch and Carla Barr will sing the national anthem.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rinceton - Bluefield Fg College
Princeton Devil Rays
Hunnicutt Field
Devil Rays
Bluefield Orioles
New Bluefield College
Rodd Welker
Carla Barr
Bluefield College
Ramblin’ Ram
Watkins reflects on NFL trials and career shift after 1971 season
Cincinnati resident Watkins recalls workouts with stars like Jim Hart John Gilliam and Jackie Smith and the 40 man NFL cut. He was later invited to the Redskins facility under George Allen before being cut. He chose a post football career with Ford and now mentors his son Preston II toward study and hard work.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Watkins
Jim Hart
John Gilliam
Jackie Smith
George Allen
Cincinnati
Ohio
Ford Motor Company
Preston II
BSC
Carter Wins West Virginia Amateur Fifth Time
Pat Carter captures the West Virginia Amateur at Pete Dye course marking his fifth title and cementing his dominance alongside Kirk Satterfield. Sunnehanna Amateur results show Carter tied for eighth at Johnstown with Tom McKnight finishing fourth. McKnight also won the Chesapeake Cup with Jim Taylor. Virginia Amateur qualifier at Fincastle CC faced windy wet conditions with Jimmy Huffman posting 69 to lead midway. Chris Crockett and Joe McCall qualified for the Virginia Open, while USGA State Amateur and Virginia Open locations are noted. Vic Sorrell discusses corrective practice and goal setting for golfers at varying levels, emphasizing focused, goal driven practice over all conditions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Virginia
Pat Carter
Carter
Chicago Bulls
Pete Dye
Pat
Kirk Satterfield
Kirk
Johnstown
Tom McKnight
Galax
Sunnehanna
Jim Taylor
Owings Hills
McKnight
Virginia
Fincastle Country Club
Jimmy Huffman
Huffman
Joe McCall
Richlands
Chris Crockett
Chris Fry
Adam Gillespie
Jeff King
Mike Krulich
Andy Price
Golden Eagle
Tides Inn
Irvington, Va
Ford’s Colony
Williamsburg
Also Mentioned on This Page
With Robin Lefler
Yak
Mel Grubb
Mel
Tony Lotto City Park
Victo
J.C. Toasler Recreation Center
Hardy Street
Sharon Hunt
Bluefield Parks and Recreation Department
Bluefield High School
Vicario
Halard
EKODA
Habron W. Johnson
Hunnicutt
Office of Admissions
Division of Adult and Continuing Education
Office of Development
Vic Sorrell
Fincastle
PGA
David Kovach
Bluefield, Va
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