Thursday, March 13, 2008

This and That

1. Michelle Kwan will spend her spring break in Argentina, where she will visit Sante Fe, Buenos Aires and Parana on her third public diplomacy envoy for the State Department. Kwan promotes a cross-cultural understanding of America by engaging in a dialogue with international youth about her life experiences.

2. Jeremy Abbott will leave for the World Figure Skating Championships on Saturday. Abbott is planning on attempting a Quad Toe in both the short and long programs because he believes the jump is necessary to become a champion.

3. Evan Lysacek suffered minor injuries when his skate blade broke on the landing of a Triple Axel. This is the third time in recent weeks that Lysacek's blade has broken. The skater has been advised not to jump for two weeks. He vows to solve his equipment problems and return even stronger next season.

4. The University of Georgia will hold this weekend's dual meet with UCLA on a podium. Both NCAA heavyweights will be testing new lineups after losing key team members to achilles tendon injuries. Combined, Georgia and UCLA have won 10 of the last 11 NCAA Championships. The meet may also feature a preview of the NCAA All Around battle as Tasha Schwikert, Anna Li, Tiffany Tolnay and Katie Heenan are expected to contend for the title in April. Gym Dog Cassidy McComb missed practice on Wednesday due to an eye infection, but the tenacious freshman is expected to compete Saturday.

6. Penn State senior Lindsay Borkan refuses to miss out on the end of her senior season. The Nittany Lion sprained every tendon in her left ankle on Tuesday and was using crutches on Wednesday morning, but vowed to compete on the balance beam on Saturday. Borkan has faced a never-ending battle with injuries for the last three seasons. Ironically, Borkan was rarely injured before tearing her achilles tendon during the second half of the 2005 season. Borkan was Penn State's All-Around star during the pre season and the first two-thirds of the 2005 season. If she does sit out this weekend, one should expect to see Borkan competing in Rec Hall next Friday (senior night). Before tearing her achilles, Borkan was known for throwing some of the most innovative routines in collegiate gymnastics. Borkan's skills included Lohman (a Barani transition from low to high) on Uneven Bars, a Barani, Round Off+Layout, and Straddle Jump+Tuck Jump 5/4 on Balance Beam, and a Whip+Double Layout on Floor Exercise.

7. Andy Roddick has announced that he will forgo competing at the 2008 Olympics in order to prepare for the US Open. Roddick is the 2003 U.S. Open champion and the 2006 U.S. Open runner-up.

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