The Columbian

25 ... And Counting - Hockinson Marathon Runner Just Keeps Going

It started with a milestone. Marilyn Griffin was 39 years old and just wanted to do something new before turning 40.

Mataya Survives Spin to Finish Sixth at Scca Runoffs

Sean Mataya's bid for a top finish in the Formula 500 race at the Sports Car Club of America National Runoffs lasted an instant. On a restart late in the race on Sept. 24 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Track, the Vancouver driver made a challenge for the lead. He darted from seventh place to second entering the first turn.

Community Notebook: Local Driver Claims Points Title at St. Helens Track

Joe Cherington of Vancouver won the season points championship in the mini stock division at River City Speedway in St. Helens, Ore. Brad Ruth of Washougal finished fourth in the same division.

Blazers Media Day - Portland Blazes New Trails

PORTLAND -- John Nash hedged after being asked Monday about his expectations for the Portland Trail Blazers' season. It's hard to predict, the Blazers' general manager said. So much has changed from last season that the benchmarks for predictions have been cast aside.

Seahawks Still Wait for Favorable Bounces

KIRKLAND -- The Seattle Seahawks were still kicking themselves on Monday, and it wasn't just because kicker Josh Brown missed a possible game-winning field goal. Brown's 47-yard attempt hit the left upright on the last play of regulation in the Seahawks' 20-17 overtime loss to Washington on Sunday.

Only Good Thing About Mariners' 2005 Season Is That It's Over

SEATTLE -- In a fitting end to their second straight miserable season, slugger Richie Sexson took a called third strike from Justin Duchscherer in the Seattle Mariners' 8-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. At 69-93, the Mariners' record was slightly better than their 99- loss season in 2004, but not $114 million better.

White Sox Have Ghosts of Their Own to Exorcise

Trying to end an 88-year championship drought, the White Sox need only look across the field to find hope. After all, the Red Sox finally won it all. Why not Chicago?

College Football Notes: Eastern Washington's Cole Is Player of Week

Eastern Washington running back Ryan Cole was named the Big Sky Conference football offensive player of the week Monday, while Sacramento State's Matt Logue and Montana State's Nick Marudas were named defensive players. Cole, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior from Port Orchard, rushed 25 times for a career-high 154 yards and scored five touchdowns in Eastern Washington's 42-24 victory over Portland State on Saturday. Cole scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Eagles rallied from a 24-21 de...

Panthers Extend Woes of Favre, Packers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Brett Favre stood alone at midfield, watching in frustrated disbelief as the Carolina Panthers celebrated the end of his improbable rally. It was vintage Favre, but despite his best efforts, the Green Bay Packers are off to their worst start in 17 years. Favre threw four touchdown passes Monday but couldn't overcome two early turnovers that the Panthers used to build a big lead, and Carolina held on for a 32-29 victory.

Seattle Receiver Corps Banged and Bruised

KIRKLAND -- Bobby Engram's ribs throbbed, Jerramy Stevens' finger swelled and Darrell Jackson's knee got progressively more sore. By the end of Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to Washington, Seattle coach Mike Holmgren was searching for any healthy bodies who could catch the ball.

Nfl Report: Report: Lions' Rogers Faces Drug Suspension

Detroit Lions receiver Charles Rogers will be suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, ESPN reported Monday night. Unless Rogers appeals, the suspension could be announced this week, ESPN reported, citing sources.

Lemieux Looks Ageless, Even Next to 18-Year-Old Star

PITTSBURGH -- For the first time in his NHL career, Mario Lemieux isn't the most-watched player in the Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp. Doesn't get the most interview requests. Doesn't wear the best- selling jersey number in town. Thanks to No. 87 -- that's super rookie Sidney Crosby, of course - - No. 66 is playing the unaccustomed role of No. 2 in a town where he's always been the No. 1 star. It's one the Hall of Famer gladly accepts since, as the team owner as well as the on-ice captain...

Dodgers Part Ways with Manager Tracy

Jim Tracy's tenure as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers is over, one day after he finished his first losing season in five years with the team. The Dodgers announced Monday that Tracy and the team "mutually agreed to part ways." Last year, Tracy guided the team to its first division championship since 1995, but the Dodgers finished 71-91 this season. It was the franchise's second-worst season since moving from Brooklyn in 1958.

Meanwhile in Seattle, Sonics Embark On New Start of Their Own

SEATTLE Bob Weiss plopped down in a folding chair and, surrounded by a sea of microphones, held court Monday on the challenges of his new job as the Seattle SuperSonics' head coach. He spoke about trying to defend Seattle's surprising Northwest Division title of a year ago, and of being a head coach for the first time in more than a decade.

Nba Notes: Bulls Trade Center Curry to Knicks in 7-Player Deal

The Bulls agreed to trade center Eddy Curry to the New York Knicks on Monday, ending a contentious negotiation in which Chicago insisted the restricted free agent take a DNA test over a heart problem. Chicago also sent veteran center Antonio Davis to the Knicks, who traded away forwards Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney and Jermaine Jackson. Several draft choices also changed hands in the deal, according to an executive in the Eastern Conference who spoke on condition of anonymity.