HOWARD FENDRICH National Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Speedskater Jordan Stolz talks to speedskater Rebecca Simmons at the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speed skating at the Pettit National Ice Center Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The next Eric Heiden? US speedskater Jordan Stolz draws comparisons ahead of Milan Cortina Olympics

January 23, 2026

Jordan Stolz appreciates that people liken what he’ll be trying to do at the Milan Cortina Winter Games to Eric Heiden’s record five speedskating gold medals at Lake Placid in 1980. Stolz calls it a cool comparison. But the 21-year-old from Wisconsin also acknowledges what he will try to do at the Olympics in February is not quite the same as Heiden. Still, Stolz is a favorite in the men’s 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters and a contender for gold in the mass start, too. There is even a chance he could enter a fifth event.

FILE - Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) throws during the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves, Sept. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

MacKenzie Gore traded to the Rangers from the Nationals for 5 prospects

January 22, 2026

All-Star left-hander MacKenzie Gore is headed to the Texas Rangers in a trade that sends five prospects back to the Washington Nationals. Thursday’s deal is the biggest move of new Washington president of baseball operations Paul Toboni’s roster rebuilding Gore gives Texas a starter who should be able to help the front end of their rotation alongside Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. Gore is under team control for the next two seasons and can’t become a free agent until after the 2027 World Series. He is scheduled to make $5.6 million in 2026 after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Nationals that avoided arbitration.

Jordan Stolz copletes his warm ups at the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speed skating at the Pettit National Ice Center Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Jordan Stolz focused on the Olympics at US speedskating trials. Everyone will focus on him in Milan

January 6, 2026

Now star speedskater Jordan Stolz can really turn all of his attention to being fully prepared to pursue four gold medals at the Milan Cortina Olympics. During the U.S. long track speedskating trials, Stolz didn’t actually need to perform well or produce good results. To earn his spots for the Feb. 6-22 Winter Games, the 21-year-old from Wisconsin simply needed to show up at the starting line for his quartet of events at the Pettit National Ice Center. He wrapped up the four-day trials Monday by winning the mass start. He also will compete in Italy in the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters, events in which he owns two world titles apiece.

The Pettit National Ice Center is seen in Milwaukee on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, the first day of the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speedskating. (AP Photo/Howard Fendrich)

Speedskater Erin Jackson earns a US Olympic spot at 1,000 meters by beating friend Brittany Bowe

January 3, 2026

Erin Jackson has won the women’s 1,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speedskating by finishing faster than her good friend, world record-holder Brittany Bowe. Jackson qualified Saturday in the 1,000 for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, where she also will defend her gold medal in the 500. Bowe also made the team for the 1,000. At the trials four years ago at the Pettit National Ice Center, Jackson slipped during the 500 and failed to earn a spot in that event. But Bowe gave up her spot in the 500 to Jackson.

Utah’s Casey Dawson earns Olympics spot for the men’s 5,000 meters at US speedskating trials

January 2, 2026

Casey Dawson has secured a spot in the men’s 5,000 meters in long track speedskating at the Milan Cortina Winter Games by winning that event at the U.S. Olympic trials. Dawson finished Friday in 6 minutes, 12.857 seconds. Ethan Cepuran was about 6 1/2 seconds back, finishing next in 6:19.335. The last American man to medal in the 5,000 at an Olympics was Chad Hedrick at the 2006 Turin Games. Dawson is a 25-year-old from Park City, Utah. He already had secured the lone U.S. place for Milan in the men’s 10,000 and also will join Cepuran as part of the trio for men’s team pursuit at the Olympics.

Georgetown head coach Ed Cooley shouts toward the court as a timeout starts during an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Georgetown coach Ed Cooley’s water bottle throw earns him a one-game suspension

December 21, 2025

Georgetown men’s basketball coach Ed Cooley has been suspended by the school for one game after throwing a water bottle into the stands at the end of a loss to Xavier. Georgetown announced the punishment on Sunday. Cooley will sit out Monday’s game against Coppin State, and associate head coach Jeff Battle will coach Georgetown instead. The Hoyas are 8-4 in Cooley’s third season at the school. They lost 80-77 to Xavier on Saturday night to fall to 1-1 in Big East Conference play this season.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, center left, runs for a touchdown against Washington Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, center right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

3 players are ejected after a brawl late in the Eagles’ game against the Commanders

December 20, 2025

Three players have been ejected after a brawl involving plenty of others from the Eagles and Commanders broke out on the field late in the fourth quarter of Philadelphia’s 29-18 victory that clinched the NFC East title. The confrontation happened Saturday night after Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley scored on a 2-point conversion to boost his team’s lead to 19 points with about 4 1/2 minutes left. Javon Kinlaw and Quan Martin of the Commanders and Tyler Steen of the Eagles were disqualified after being flagged for unnecessary roughness. Commanders coach Dan Quinn didn’t directly address whether it was disrespectful for the Eagles to go for 2 but he noted the teams play again in two weeks.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Devonta Smith, front left, celebrates with teammates after his touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles win their second NFC East title in a row by beating the Commanders 29-18

December 20, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles have won their second straight NFC East title. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley led the Eagles to a 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday night. The game included a late brawl after Barkley tacked on a 2-point conversion to increase the Eagles’ lead to 19 points. Hurts completed 22 of 30 throws for 185 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. Barkley had a 12-yard TD run as part of his 21-carry, 132-yard performance. It wasn’t a terrific performance by the Eagles, who had a fumble on the opening kickoff and a pair of penalties on the tush push.

FILE - A Washington Nationals helmet sits in the dugout railing before a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore, June 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Ani Kilambi, 31, is joining the Washington Nationals as their general manager, AP source says

December 17, 2025

A person with knowledge of the move tells The Associated Press that Ani Kilambi is joining the Washington Nationals as their new general manager. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity on Wednesday because Kilambi’s hiring had not been announced yet. The 31-year-old had been an assistant GM with the Philadelphia Phillies. Kilambi is the latest young face to join president of baseball operations Paul Toboni in Washington. Kilambi takes over a job that was held for more than a decade and a half by Mike Rizzo, who was the GM in Washington since 2009 and added the title of president of baseball operations in 2013. Rizzo was fired in July during Washington’s sixth consecutive losing season.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is seen on the sidelines before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels frustrated and disappointed by injuries he calls ‘freak accidents’

December 16, 2025

Jayden Daniels says he was frustrated and disappointed by missing so much time during his second year in the NFL. He used the phrase “freak accidents” on Tuesday to refer to the various injuries that limited him to seven games before the Washington Commanders shut him down. Speaking to reporters for the first time since coach Dan Quinn announced Monday that Daniels wouldn’t play again this season, the quarterback said he wasn’t thrilled with the decision to limit him to practicing the rest of the way but he understood it.

Model Heidi Klum watches as Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni returns the World Cup trophy to the stage during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 (Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP)

Everyone is in the toughest World Cup group. Just ask the coaches

December 5, 2025

If you listen to the words spoken after the World Cup draw by the various coaches who were at the Kennedy Center, it would seem impossible for any of them to win next year’s tournament. Everyone got thrown into the toughest group — or the “Group of Death,” in soccer parlance. Everyone was burdened with talented foes for their first three matches — even if a half-dozen participants are yet to be determined. And everyone needs to avoid overlooking any other team and be ready for whatever is to come during the tournament from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is seen on the sideline before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels’ status for Vikings game won’t be known until Friday

December 3, 2025

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels still has not been cleared for contact and his status for Sunday’s game at the Minnesota Vikings is up in the air. Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he won’t know whether Daniels can play this week until Friday. Daniels has missed Washington’s past three games with a dislocated left elbow — and has been absent for a total of six of the club’s 12 games this season. The Commanders have lost seven games in a row, a year after going 12-5 during the regular season and making it all the way to the NFC title game, with Daniels appearing in all 20 of their games.

President Donald Trump arrives Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Air Force One, for a weekend trip at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Donald Trump plans to be the 1st sitting US president at a regular-season NFL game since 1978

November 9, 2025

Extra security measures are in place before the Washington Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions, where President Donald Trump planned to become the first sitting president in nearly a half-century to attend a regular-season NFL contest. Officers in black secret uniforms identifying them as members of the U.S. Secret Service joined military, police and other guards inside and outside Northwest Stadium on Sunday. There were more fences than usual blocking sidewalks and some pathways were restricted. Only two other times did a president go to an NFL game during the regular season while in office, according to the league: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978.

FILE - Washington Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo walks out to the mound to make a pitching change in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard, File)

Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo will not get the permanent job, AP source says

October 29, 2025

Washington Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo will not get the job on a permanent basis, and members of his coaching staff are being let go, too, a person with knowledge of the moves told The Associated Press. The person spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because nothing had been announced about Washington’s plans for its on-field leadership next season. The changes include the departures of pitching coach Jim Hickey, hitting coach Darnell Coles, bullpen coach Ricky Bones, first-base coach Gerardo Parra — of “Baby Shark” fame — and third base coach Ricky Gutierrez. Cairo replaced the fired Dave Martinez in July.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Commanders’ Jayden Daniels out with injury and Marcus Mariota to start vs. Chiefs, AP source says

October 22, 2025

Quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss the Washington Commanders’ game at the Kansas City Chiefs because of an injured right hamstring and Marcus Mariota will start in his place. That’s according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team had not officially ruled him out for the Monday night game. Washington has lost two games in a row heading into the contest at Kansas City. Daniels had an MRI exam a day after leaving in the third quarter of Washington’s 44-22 loss at the NFC East-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Jayden Daniels’ injury is not significant but his status against the Chiefs is not yet known

October 20, 2025

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn says Jayden Daniels’ right hamstring injury is not significant or long-term. But Quinn said Monday that he does not know yet whether the quarterback will be available to play against the Kansas City Chiefs. Daniels had an MRI exam a day after leaving in the third quarter of Washington’s 44-22 loss at the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Washington (3-4) has lost two games in a row heading into its contest at Kansas City (4-3) next Monday night.

Chicago Bears kicker Jake Moody (16) kicks the game-winning field goal as time expires in an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

No Hail Mary magic this time and Moody’s last-play kick lifts the Bears past the Commanders 25-24

October 13, 2025

It wasn’t quite the same drama as the Hail Mary that decided these teams’ game a year ago, but Caleb Williams and the Bears did get the better of Jayden Daniels and the Commanders on a final-play score this time. Chicago defeated Washington 25-24 on Jake Moody’s 38-yard field goal Monday night. The Bears extended their winning streak to three games under first-year coach Ben Johnson. Washington continued its pattern of alternating wins and losses in 2025 and flopped with a chance to pull even with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC East.

FILE - Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) catches a 52-yard touchdown pass in the end zone as time expires to give the Commanders an 18-15 win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game, Oct. 27, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Commanders’ Jayden Daniels won’t relive the Hail Mary that beat Bears a year ago

October 12, 2025

Jayden Daniels sees no point in reliving the “Hail Maryland” or “Fail Mary” play that lifted Washington to a victory over Chicago a year ago. So what if the teams’ rematch is going to be played on national television Monday night and everyone else will be discussing it? Daniels figures the 52-yard, last-play touchdown pass he threw to Noah Brown in 2024 is not going to help the Commanders beat the Bears this time. Washington comes in with a 3-2 record and a chance to pull even with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC East. Chicago enters on a two-game winning streak.

The Nationals are hiring Red Sox Assistant GM Paul Toboni to run baseball operations: AP source

September 24, 2025

A person with knowledge of the move tells The Associated Press that the Washington Nationals are set to hire Boston Red Sox senior vice president and assistant general manager Paul Toboni to run their baseball operations department. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity on Wednesday because Toboni’s move to the Nationals had not been announced. The 35-year-old Toboni was with the Red Sox for a decade, starting there as an intern in 2015, then moving up through their scouting department until becoming an assistant GM in November 2023.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) is brought down by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the second half of NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Commanders’ Terry McLaurin misses practice and Jayden Daniels is a limited participant

September 24, 2025

Injured Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin has missed practice and quarterback Jayden Daniels is participating in a limited fashion. Wednesday’s practice was Washington’s first since Daniels sat out last weekend’s 41-24 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders with an injured left knee. McLaurin left the victory against the Raiders in the second half after making a 56-yard catch that set up a short touchdown run by rookie Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt. The team listed McLaurin’s injury as to his quadriceps muscle. Washington plays at the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Coach Dan Quinn called it pretty normal for an NFL player to seek a second opinion after being diagnosed by a team’s medical staff.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is sacked by Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, right, and defensive lineman Micah Parsons (1) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Commanders’ Jayden Daniels will not play against the Raiders on Sunday because of an injured knee

September 19, 2025

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of an injured left knee. It is the first game Daniels will sit out since entering the NFL last season. He was unable to fully participate in practice on Friday after also missing work with his teammates on Wednesday and Thursday. Washington coach Dan Quinn said the reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year won’t play this week and Marcus Mariota will replace Daniels in the lineup. It will be the first start for Mariota since 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball as Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Commanders’ Jayden Daniels will not practice earlier than Friday because of injured knee

September 17, 2025

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will not practice earlier than Friday while recovering from an injured knee. Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Daniels went through a rehabilitation session and threw on the field but would not take part in that day’s work with teammates. The Commanders host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Last season’s AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was hurt in the fourth quarter of Washington’s 27-18 loss at the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is upended by Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard (20) as Packers defensive lineman Micah Parsons (1) and linebacker Quay Walker (7) watch during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has a knee injury. It’s too soon to know if he can play Sunday

September 15, 2025

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is dealing with a knee injury, and coach Dan Quinn says the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year’s status for the team’s next game is up in the air. The Commanders host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Daniels had an MRI on his knee. Quinn said the player’s status is considered day to day. Daniels was hurt in Washington’s 27-18 loss at the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. The second-year QB was sacked four times and faced pressure throughout the game from a blitz-heavy Packers’ defense.

FILE - Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler rushes during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)

Commanders’ Austin Ekeler is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, AP source says

September 13, 2025

A person with knowledge of the player’s status tells The Associated Press that Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler will miss the rest of the season because of a torn right Achilles tendon. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday because nothing had been announced by the club about the extent of Ekeler’s injury. The 30-year-old Ekeler was in his ninth season in the NFL and second with the Commanders. He is the second player on the team who got a season-ending injury in Washington’s 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.

Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders have not looked nearly as good so far this season

September 12, 2025

It’s only been two games so far, but Jayden Daniels and the rest of the Washington Commanders have looked quite a bit like the oldest team in the NFL and very little like the club that went 12-5 and made it to the NFC title game last season. The offense is nowhere near as explosive or as efficient as it was as Daniels earned AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. And the defense was not up to the task in a 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night that dropped Washington’s record to 1-1.

FILE - Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (30) looks on before an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, file)

The Commanders believe Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles tendon but are awaiting tests: AP Source

September 12, 2025

A person with knowledge of the player’s status tells The Associated Press that the Washington Commanders believe starting running back Austin Ekeler tore his right Achilles tendon in their loss to the Green Bay Packers but are awaiting tests to confirm the severity of the injury. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because nothing had been announced by the club. Ekeler is a 30-year-old in his ninth NFL season and second with Washington. He fell to the ground on a play in the fourth quarter of Green Bay’s 27-18 victory on Thursday night. It was a non-contact injury.

HOWARD FENDRICH National Writer.