National Sports - The Morning Sun

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland waves as he walks off the 18th green following his second round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

McIlroy tries to plot how to salvage a season without winning a major

Rory McIlroy missed the cut at the British Open and he has 265 days until the start of the next major at the Masters. Now he is trying to figure out how to salvage a 10th straight year without a … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 7/20/24

FILE - Brazilian soccer players Marta, right, and Adriana arrive for practice at the Granja Comary training center in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teresopolis, Brazil, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. The Brazilian legend plays in her final Olympics in France before stepping away from the national team. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo, File)

Marta pursues soccer gold at the Olympics while preparing to pass the torch to Brazil's youngsters

Brazilian legend Marta will be playing in her final Olympics in France before stepping away from the national team. It will be Marta's sixth Olympics. She has won world player of the year honors six … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 7/20/24

FILE - Basketball Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller, left, greets fans during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. Miller will coach the WNBA All-Stars against Team USA during All-Star weekend on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Hoops legend Cheryl Miller filled with pride as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese make mark on WNBA

Cheryl Miller will coach the WNBA All-Stars against Team USA during All-Star weekend. The women's hoops trailblazer was one of the game's early stars in the 1980s. At USC, she was a two-time national … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 7/20/24

Tyler Adams of the United States jumps over Bolivia's Fernando Saucedo during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, June 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

U.S. captain Tyler Adams has back surgery and will miss start of season with Bournemouth

Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams will miss the start of the Premier League season while he recovers from back surgery. The United States captain missed most of last season because of a hamstring … more

7/20/24

Katie Ledecky gets ready for the Women's 800 freestyle finals Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the US Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Katie Ledecky just keeps chugging along, still excited about swimming after all these years

For Katie Ledecky, there is seemingly no such thing as burnout. Sure, there are times when it all gets a bit monotonous, staring at that black line at the bottom of the pool, turning lap after lap. … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 7/20/24

Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell (0) leaps to the basket to take a shot as Dallas Wings' Teaira McCowan (15) defends in the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Allisha Gray edges Sophie Cunningham to win WNBA All-Star skills competition

Allisha Gray won the WNBA All-Star skills competition, beating hometown favorite Sophie Cunningham in the finals. The Atlanta Dream star had the fastest time in the preliminary round and then was … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 7/19/24

Tyler Reddick drives into a turn during a practice session for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

NASCAR drivers eager to test their skills on Indianapolis' oval after 3 years on the road course

Austin Cindric attended races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway most of his life, dreaming of the day he could compete on the historic 2.5-mile oval. On Sunday, he’ll finally get a chance to join his … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 7/19/24

An image of Travis Bazzana is shown on the video board after the Cleveland Guardians selected Bazzana, the first overall pick in the MLB baseball draft, in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Guardians sign No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana of Oregon State

Travis Bazzana, the top overall pick in the MLB amateur draft out of Oregon State, signed his first professional contract with the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. Bazzana formally inked the deal at … more

By BRIAN DULIK | 7/19/24

FILE - Trainer Bob Baffert stands for a photo ahead of the Breeders' Cup horse races at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., Oct. 27, 2023. Churchill Downs has rescinded its extended suspension of Baffert, allowing the Hall of Fame trainer to resume racing his horses at the historic track and partner facilities. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Churchill Downs lifts suspension of trainer Bob Baffert following Medina Spirit's failed drug test

Churchill Downs has rescinded its extended suspension of Bob Baffert, allowing the Hall of Fame trainer to resume racing his horses at the historic track and partner facilities after more than three … more

By GARY B. GRAVES | 7/19/24

Josh Berry drives into a turn during a practice session for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Image of Caitlin Clark displayed on hood of Josh Berry's car for Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis

Caitlin Clark made her first appearance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway — on Josh Berry’s No. 4 Ford. The rookie driver took his Stewart-Haas Racing entry the traditional 2.5-mile oval on Friday … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 7/19/24

FILE - Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams speaks during a news conference after practice at the NFL football team's mandatory minicamp in Lake Forest, Ill., Thursday, June 6, 2024. The Chicago Bears have locked in their top two rookies, agreeing to four-year contracts with No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams and No. 9 selection Rome Odunze and avoiding any training camp drama with their prized quarterback and receiver. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Caleb Williams is ready for the spotlight as the Chicago Bears open training camp

Caleb Williams is ready for what comes next. The No. 1 overall draft pick and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is embracing the spotlight in Chicago after playing a starring role in Los Angeles as the … more

By ANDREW SELIGMAN | 7/19/24

FILE - Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) comes away with a steal as Los Angeles Sparks' Dearica Hamby (5) pursues in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, July 13, 2024. Ogunbowale is one of the best players in the WNBA but withdrew her name from the U.S. Olympic player pool because she felt the process was too political. Now she faces the U.S. team as a member of the WNBA All-Stars. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale could make life tough for Team USA once again

The last time the U.S. Women's National Team snubbed Arike Ogunbowale, she made sure it paid on the court. Three years later, the circumstances are a little different, but the mission remains the … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 7/19/24

Shane Lowry of Ireland throws his ball into the stands as he walks from the 18th green following his second round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Shane Lowry keeps calm and carries British Open lead at Troon

Shane Lowry has the British Open lead at Royal Troon after a 69 on a wild day at Royal Troon. Lowry's big adventure was a double bogey on the 11th hole on Friday. He settled himself and made a pair … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 7/19/24

FILE - Kevin Durant poses for a photo with his gold medal during the medal ceremony for basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Aug. 7, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Durant returns to practice with US basketball team, 1 week before Paris Olympics

Kevin Durant practiced with the U.S. Olympic basketball team on Friday, a major step toward getting him back on track for the Paris Games that open next week. It was Durant’s first time on the … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 7/19/24

Olympic success or failure can hinge on the snap of a finger, a tiny wobble or even a gust of wind

(Editor’s note: Fractions of a second or a slight misstep during the Olympics can alter the career, the legacy and the earning potential of athletes. The Associated Press spoke with athletes about … more

By EDDIE PELLS | 7/19/24

FILE - U.S. gymnast Jonathan Horton sits on the sideline during the men's team final at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. Former American gymnast Jonathan Horton figures the difference between winning silver and gold at the Olympics cost him seven-figures in endorsement opportunities.(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

Stories on athletes and lifechanging Olympic finishes that altered the course of their careers

Several athletes discuss how close finishes of races and events during the Olympics altered the course of their careers. Those athletes include Simone Manuel, Michael Phelps, Edwin Moses, Jonathan … more

By The Associated Press | 7/19/24

FILE - Utah State coach Blake Anderson reacts to a penalty during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Boise State on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Logan, Utah. Utah State says it’s firing Blake Anderson after an external review of allegations that he hadn’t complied with Title IX policies regarding the reporting of sexual misconduct cases. Defensive coordinator and defensive ends coach Nate Dreiling will be Utah State’s interim head coach during the upcoming season.(Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP, File)

Utah State fires coach Blake Anderson for 'significant violations of his contractual obligations'

Utah State has fired coach Blake Anderson for “significant violations of his contractual obligations.” Thursday's move came 16 days after the school informed Anderson that he would be dismissed … more

7/18/24

Los Angeles Laker guard Bronny James Jr. (9) drives the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA summer league basketball game Friday, July 12, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Bronny James continues promising play with 13 points in Lakers' 93-89 win over Cavaliers

Lakers rookie Bronny James put together his second promising Summer League performance in a row Thursday night, scoring 13 points in Los Angeles’ 93-89 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The son … more

7/18/24

Patrick Vieira leaves Strasbourg ahead of French season, becomes candidate for US job

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Patrick Vieira left as coach of the French club Strasbourg on Thursday less than one month before the Ligue 1 season starts, making him a candidate to succeed Gregg … more

7/18/24

FILE - Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook moves up the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, April 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

Clippers trade Russell Westbrook to Jazz. He's expected to join the Nuggets after a buyout

The Los Angeles Clippers have sent Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade deal for point guard Kris Dunn. ESPN reports that the Jazz are expected to buy out the former NBA MVP’s … more

By GREG BEACHAM | 7/18/24