Flint Township View

Sports Shorts




UM-Flint hits skid after opener

FLINT— Ever since their season opening win over Xavier, Carman-Ainsworth graduate Dwan Simmons and his University of Michigan-Flint Kodiaks club football team have hit a bit of a losing skid. The opening game, a 35-3 win, seemed quite dominant, however, the same results were not obtained on the road. The following week, the Kodiaks traveled to Wright State, falling, 12-7, in their first road game of the year. The losing continued into their next game, with a 42-6 loss at Siena Heights last Saturday. Michigan-Flint now sits at 1-2 on the season, and faces a tough test for the rest of the year. The Kodiaks returned to the field on October 22 in a matchup with the club football team from Ohio State University at Atwood Stadium. Game details were not reported. October 30 will be the final home game of the year for the Kodiaks, as they host the club football team from the University of Miami of Ohio. Michigan- Flint will wrap up the season on the road against Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville the following week. — B.P.

Scores deadlines

FLINT TOWNSHIP — Varsity coaches are reminded that all scores must reach us by 10 a.m. on Wednesday to make the current week’s edition. Scores ultimately should be reported as soon after each game as possible to your beat reporter, FAX to 810-667-6309 or e-mailed to lpaine@mihomepaper.com L.P.

There is no ‘I’ in team

EAST LANSING — A study by Michigan State University researchers shows that individuals on sports teams perform better when focused on the team’s overall effort, rather than on individuals. The findings, published in the Journal of Sports Sciences and led by Veronica Son and Deborah Feltz of the Department of Kinesiology, reveal that simply changing “I” to “we” in self-talk motivational statements has a significant impact on the individual’s and ultimately, the team’s performance. Son, a doctoral student in the Department of Kinesiology and lead author of the study, said most of the research on “self-talk”—the internal talk one does in getting ready for performance— examined the effect of building up an individual’s confidence. “I believe in the power of ‘we,’” Son said. “The study revealed that group-oriented selftalk enhanced a team’s confidence. The findings provide fundamental information about how to effectively build positive team outcomes using self-talk focused not on ‘I’ but ‘we’.” As part of the study, 80 subjects were randomly assigned to three different groups before completing a team-based dart-throwing activity: One used self-talk statements focusing upon one’s personal capabilities; another used statements emphasizing the group’s capabilities; and the third was a control group where neutral statements were implemented. In the end, performance indicators and confidence in the team were all greatest for individuals who practiced self-talk focusing on the group’s capabilities. — L.P.

Carr, Chiefs off to slow start

KANSAS CITY, MO— Carman-Ainsworth graduate Brandon Carr and his Kansas City Chiefs are currently 2-3 overall, which is good enough for third place in the four-team American Football Conference-West, leading only the 1-4 Denver Broncos. Ahead of the Chiefs are the 4-2 Oakland Raiders, and the 4- 1 San Diego Chargers. Kansas City opened the season with three consecutive losses. In week one, the Chiefs were dominated at home by the Buffalo Bills, 41-7. The following week they were slaughtered by the Detroit Lions, 48-3. After a close loss to San Diego, 20-17, the Chiefs have won two straight. On October 2, Kansas City hosted and defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 22-17. The Chiefs then traveled to Indianapolis to take on the Petyon Manning-less Colts, as the Chiefs went on to win, 28-24. An October 23 game in Oakland would be the Chiefs’ best performance of the season, as Kansas City dominated the Raiders, 28-0. Through those six games played, Carr has started all five games amassing 15 solo tackles, with two assisted tackles. He also has three pass deflections, and two interceptions, which he returned for a combined 16 yards. — B.P.

Winter Classic upcoming

LAKE FENTON — Mark the calender for January 27-29, 2012. Lake Fenton will be home ice for the Inaugural Lake Fenton Winter Classic, located outside the Fenton Moose Lodge, 2245 Sonora Drive. The public is invited to play, watch, and experience hockey at its purist form on frozen Lake Fenton. Teams of seven, with players at least 18- years or older, will compete in a 4-on-4 game with no goalies or boards, just pure pond hockey. Also ongoing will be open skating rinks, turkey bowling, kid games and prizes. Registration opened Sept. 18 and remains open to the first 100 teams or maximum of 700 players. The teams will be divided into eight divisions and entry fee guarantees four games (weather permitting) and one private parking spot per team close to the lake for easy access. Games take place Friday night under the lights, Saturday morning, Saturday night under the lights, and Sunday morning. The championship game takes place Sunday afternoon. The winner of each division will be able to lift the Des Crowley Memorial Cup and have their team name engraved on it. Winner also gets free entry into the 2013 Lake Fenton Winter Classic to defend the title. Details: Sean Lapham at 810-620-PUCK or or Sean@lakefentonwinterclassic.com. — L.P.

Opportunities now available

LAPEER — The VIEW Newspapers and Lapeer County Press now have opportunities available for unpaid internships in the sports department for the fall and winter semesters. Applicants should be at least 18 years old and attached to a college internship program, length of commitment negotiable based on credit requirements and those interested must be available during standard business hours. Details: Lisa Paine at 810-452-2626 or lpaine@mihomepaper.com. — M.S.


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