Chicago Marathon, Jamie Winston, Nascar Fistfights, and Martinsdale-St Mary's Volleyball Team

Eliud Kipchoge beat his closest competitor, Sammy Kitwara, in the 37th annual Chicago Marathon this morning. In terrific weather, Kipchoge ran the 26.2 miles in 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 11 seconds. Honestly, I am equally impressed and confused by such feats. I've no idea why anyone would want to do something so grueling. Oh wait, the $155K prize money might have something to do with it. And what's up with that extra .2 miles? That has to be tacked on because running 26 miles isn't sufficient enough?




Jameis Winston is exploring his options today. One of those options may be dropping out of Florida State in an effort to avoid the impending investigation into his alleged activities including misconduct and rape. The university is apparently concerned enough over possible litigation from the rape victim, that they've decided to open this investigation. Note that it's October 2014 and the assault took place in December 2012.

No charges or disciplinary action were taken against Winston when the rape was initially reported. The rumored litigation would, if you listen to the chatter, include Florida State, Winston, and the Tallahassee Police Department.

So as Winston considers his next move, dropping out of Florida State prevents him from participating in the university's investigation, it allows him to leave the state and completely ignore the investigation entirely, and it separates him from his possible co-defenders in the lawsuit the victim is thought to be contemplating.

What happens if Winston does leave Florida State? Well, he then becomes eligible for the NFL 2015 draft. Something tells me he'll fit right in. I write fiction and even I can't make this stuff up.

Tempers were hot at Charlotte last night as drivers fought to stay out of the elimination race next week at Talladega. Brad Keselowski raised tempers by causing contact between his vehicle and those of both Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin. Both drivers showed their displeasure with Keselowski on the track.

Following the race, Keselowski went down pit row and hit Kenseth's vehicle-it's worth noting that Kenseth had removed most of his safety equipment before being struck, a practice that is routine at this point in the race-Keselowski bounced off of Kenseth's car and hit the car of Tony Stewart. Stewart promptly responded by throwing his car into reverse and bashing into Keselowski. Keselowski fought to get away from Stewart and in doing so, it the car of Danica Patrick.

Keselowski ended his temper tantrum by doing burn outs in the garage area and running over some of his own equipment that was on the ground near his hauler.

Matt Kenseth, known as a mild-mannered and even-tempered guy, was so angry that he went after Keselowski as he stood between two haulers. It took several crew members to separate the two men.

After the race, Keselowski blamed the two other drivers for causing the trouble, insisting that they ruined his night by hitting him on the track and he was simply retaliating in kind.

Hamlin disagrees, calling Keselowski out of control . "It's either four or five of us are wrong or he's wrong," says Hamlin. His concern is that Keselowski will try to wreck him, Stewart, and Kenseth next week at Talladega. "He'll just be out of control like normal," Hamlin said. "We'll do what we have to do to get in, and that's the big picture."

NASCAR officials are reported to be reviewing tapes and talking to all involved before any decision regarding disciplinary actions are taken.

Meanwhile, a group of volleyball players from Martinsdale-St. Mary's high school, located south of Des Moines, Iowa, were playing a game in which one player struck the ball, causing it to go into the stands and hit a young girl in the face. When the game ended, the girls rallied around the girl to apologize to her for the wild hit.

According to the mother of the 10-year old, her daughter has the mental capacity of a child half her age and thought the players were angry and that's why she was struck in the face with the volleyball.

The team made a point of apologizing to the child and reassuring her that it was an accident, that she had done nothing wrong, and no one was angry with her.

I don't know about you, but I think this group of high school girls could teach NASCAR drivers and football players the meaning of sportsmanship.