STEPHEN WHYNO Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Iga Swiatek, of Poland, returns a shot against Ekaterina Alexandrova, of Russia, during the fourth round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek roll into the quarterfinals at the US Open

September 1, 2025

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek rolled into the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open by each winning in straight sets. Osaka dominated Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in their highly anticipated showdown. She is back in the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam for the first time since 2021. Swiatek rallied from down 3-1 in the first set to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova. On the men’s side, Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced by beating Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that took just over two hours.

Venus Williams, of the United States, reacts with partner Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, during a third-round doubles match of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Venus Williams is in the US Open women’s doubles quarterfinals and says Serena needs to show up

September 1, 2025

Venus Williams is into the U.S. Open women’s doubles quarterfinals at the U.S. Open with Leylah Fernandez and now wants her old partner to come back. She says it’s time for Serena Williams to come see a match. Williams made the plea for her younger sister to show up after she and Fernandez beat the 12th-seeded duo of Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-4 in their third-round match Monday in front of a capacity crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Williams and Fernandez will play Tuesday against the top-seeded team of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova. The Williams sisters won 14 major championships together.

Taylor Townsend, of the United States, returns a shot during her doubles match with her partner, with Katerina Siniakova, of the Czech Republic, against Aldila Sutjiadi, of Indonesia, and Nadiia Kichenok, of Ukraine, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Taylor Townsend is in the spotlight at the US Open after her confrontation with Jelena Ostapenko

August 29, 2025

Taylor Townsend does not have the star power or the name recognition of fellow Americans Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula, and she’s not even seeded in singles play the U.S. Open. But she got in prime time at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night and made the most of it. Townsend upset No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-2. Townsend has been thrust into the spotlight at the Grand Slam tournament after her post-match argument with Jelena Ostapenko and the subsequent discourse surrounding it. A supportive crowd witnessed Townsend and doubles partner Katerina Siniakova win Thursday. Townsend hopes the attention brings more people to tennis.

Venus Williams, of the United States, left, and Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, talk on the court during a first round women's doubles match against Lyudmyla Kichenok, of the Czech Republic and Ellen Perez, of Australia, during the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Venus Williams wins a US Open women’s doubles match for the 1st time since 2014 — without Serena

August 28, 2025

Venus Williams won a women’s doubles match at the U.S. Open for the first time in more than a decade. She and partner Leylah Fernandez beat the sixth-seeded pair of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez in straight sets. Getting loud cheers and a standing ovation from fans in a nearly full Louis Armstrong Stadium, Williams and Fernandez rallied from down 5-2 in the first set to win it in a tiebreaker. The wild-card duo of the 45-year-old American and 22-year-old Canadian are set to face Ulrikke Eikeri and Eri Hozumi in the second round.

FILE - Sarah Palfrey Cook, left, chats with Althea Gibson, National Negro Women's Tennis Champion from Sumter, S.C., at the west side tennis club at Forest Hills, New York on July 29,1950. (AP Photo,File)

US Open honors Althea Gibson for breaking the color barrier in tennis 75 years ago

August 26, 2025

Althea Gibson is front and center at the U.S. Open this year on the 75th anniversary of her breaking the color barrier in tennis. The logo for the Grand Slam tournament is of her profile as designed by the first Black woman responsible for the U.S. Open’s feature art. Clips of Gibson playing at what was then known as the U.S. Nationals flash across screens inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, and a tribute narrated by Venus Williams is part of the soundtrack during breaks. Gibson’s story is also a complicated one, given her fight to get in and a life afterward that ended more than two decades ago without the money or legacy to show for it.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) hands off the ball to running back Cam Skattebo (44) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Skattebo plays and Dart clears concussion protocol as Giants beat Patriots in preseason finale

August 21, 2025

Cam Skattebo saw his first game action for the New York Giants and Jaxson Dart had an eventful preseason finale by throwing a touchdown pass and clearing concussion protocol following a big hit, with reserves playing much of a 42-10 rout of the New England Patriots. Skattebo had three carries for 12 yards. Dart was 6 of 12 for 81 yards and a touchdown before fumbling when he was tackled at the end of a long run. The Giants finished exhibition play unbeaten for the first time since 2019. The Patriots rested almost all of their starters.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) is tackled by New England Patriots linebacker Jack Gibbens (51) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Giants’ Jaxson Dart clears concussion protocol after taking a hit in preseason game vs. Patriots

August 21, 2025

New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart was evaluated for a head injury and cleared concussion protocol after taking a hit at the end of a long run in the preseason finale against New England. Dart fumbled when he was tackled by linebacker Jack Gibbens. The 22-year-old grabbed his head after the play, though it was unclear if it was from the hit or a reaction to losing the fumble. Dart was taken to the medical tent on the sideline and replaced by veteran Jameis Winston. Dart completed 6 of 12 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown along with the 23-yard scramble that ended his night.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Jaxson Dart impressing in the preseason has not changed the Giants’ plan at quarterback

August 17, 2025

New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart completed 13 consecutive passes and was 14 of 16 in his second NFL preseason game. Two impressive showings to open exhibition play should have the organization and fans excited about his long-term future. But they have done nothing to change the plan for developing Dart after trading up to draft him in the first round and keeping veteran Russell Wilson firmly implanted as the starter. Brian Daboll insists there’s a roadmap in place that the Giants are sticking to, even if the offensive-minded coach isn’t exactly being forthright about what it entails.

New York Jets' quarterback Justin Fields participates during a joint NFL football practice with the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Former Steelers QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields reunite as starters for the Giants and Jets

August 13, 2025

A year ago, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were the two top quarterbacks at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp vying for the starting job. This week, they were back on the same field in the same market with different teams. Wilson is the starter for the New York Giants and Fields for the Jets, and their teams took part in a couple of days of joint practices before playing each other in the preseason this weekend. Wilson says being teammates will forever connect them and Fields is happy they found such favorable landing spots.

NFL reacts to the shooting at the league office building that killed 4 people

July 29, 2025

Players and coaches around the NFL reacted with shock and sadness Tuesday after a gunman killed four people at the New York office building housing the league’s headquarters. Brian Daboll of the New York Giants, Aaron Glenn of the Jets, Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears and Raheem Morris of the Atlanta Falcons offered their thoughts and prayers to the victims of Monday’s shooting. Mayor Eric Adams said the gunman was trying to target NFL headquarters but took the wrong elevator. Tennessee Titans NFLPA representative Jeffery Simmons cited the importance of mental health in conversations with fellow players.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, right, talks with head coach Brian Daboll during a practice at the team's NFL football training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Giants’ busy offseason got stamps of approval from standout young receiver Malik Nabers

July 24, 2025

Like what the New York Giants did this offseason? Thank Malik Nabers. No, the wide receiver coming off an impressive rookie year didn’t add general manager to his responsibilities. But Nabers said coach Brian Daboll did consult him about moves specifically being made on offense after the unit was among the worst in the NFL last year. Among them were signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and drafting Jackson Dart and Cam Skattebo. On Thursday, the Giants also rewarded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence by adding $3 million in incentives to his contract for this season.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) throws as quarterback Russell Wilson (3) watches during practice at the team's NFL football training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Giants open camp with Jaxson Dart in the spotlight but Russell Wilson still starting quarterback

July 23, 2025

So much of the attention going into New York Giants training camp is on first-round pick and quarterback of the future Jaxson Dart. But coach Brian Daboll made it clear the plan hasn’t changed and that Russell Wilson is the starter. Wilson took all of the first-team snaps in the first practice of camp, with Dart and journeyman Jameis Winston rotating second and third. Daboll won’t say whether the backup job to Wilson is up for grabs this preseason. General manager Joe Schoen deferred to the coaching staff to determine when it might be time to turn to Dart.

FILE - New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) follows a play during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 in London. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)

Jets make Sauce Gardner the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback with a $120.4M extension, AP source says

July 15, 2025

The New York Jets are making Sauce Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. The Jets and Gardner agreed on a four-year, $120.4 million extension through the 2030 season, a person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press. The contract paying the two-time All-Pro more than $30 million a year comes a day after the Jets agreed to another lucrative extension with top wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Gardner is going into his fourth professional season after New York took him fourth in the 2022 draft.

Bulked up Jayden Daniels looks to have put on weight coming off rookie season with the Commanders

May 28, 2025

Jayden Daniels is in his second spring of NFL offseason workouts with the same coach and offense from his successful rookie year for the Washington Commanders. But Washington’s franchise quarterback looks a little different. Daniels appears to have bulked up since leading the Commanders on an improbable run to the NFC championship game. The 24-year-old acknowledged he naturally put on some weight but doesn’t want to say how much and insists it was not a mission of his. Teammates and coaches noticed Daniels is bigger and stronger and chalk it up to a motivated competitor eager to get better.

STEPHEN WHYNO Sports Writer.