Force advances to national championship game
The Chicago Force isn't just hosting the Independent Women's Football League ( IWFL ) national championship game Sat., July 26—the Force will be playing in the game for the first time in team history.
The Force came from behind to defeat the Pittsburgh Passion, 8-7, Sat., July 12, at the Holmgren Athletic Complex at North Park University. The Force is now 10-0, while the Passion ended its season 9-1. The Force victory ended Pittsburgh's 22-game winning streak, dating back since the last game of the season in 2006, and the Passion were the national champions last year in a previous league.
'This team showed so much heart. There was no doubt we'd come back, even when we were trailing in the fourth quarter. We wanted it too much to lose,' said Chicago quarterback Sami Grisafe.
Pittsburgh grabbed a 7-0 lead in the second quarter on a 3-yard run by Torina Henley. Chicago answered with 4:09 remaining as Grisafe scored on a 1-yard card. Melissa Smith then scored on the two-point conversion. Theresa Simon iced the win with a late interception.
Bridget Fahrner earned offensive MVP honors, while Jeannine Nebbeling and Amanda Malsch shared defensive MVP honors. The MVP honors are sponsored by Spin nightclub, and owner David Gassman was on the field for the post-game presentation.
'We've worked so hard all season,' Grisafe said. 'We want that [ championship ] ring, and we're gonna get it.'
The Force will play the Dallas Diamonds for the championship. The kickoff for the National Championship game is at 7 p.m., at North Park University.
'Girlz.Got.Game' at Center
New Vision of Hope Foundation ( NVHF ) , a non-profit organization, and E3 Radio, in association with the Center on Halsted, will present their first 'Girlz.Got.Game' 3-on-3 Basketball Classic and Health Fair Sat.-Sun., July 26-27, at the Center, 3656 N. Halsted. It will run 8 a.m.-9 p.m. on July 26 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on July 27.
Only girls and women 16–55+ can play, but the entire community is welcome to participate in the activitie, which will include free HIV, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI screenings, and much more.
All proceeds will benefit NVHF's Youth/Adults for AIDS Prevention Outreach Program and E3 Radio, which produces socially conscious programs. E-mail 3gclassic@gmail.com for more information.
Chicago Criterium
to feature
cycling's elite
Mayor Richard M. Daley will welcome top cyclists to Grant Park for the city's inaugural Chicago Criterium, which will take place Sun., July 27.
A criterium or 'crit' is a cycling race held in a closed circuit loop. It is approximately 1.1 miles in length.
Racing will commence at 7 a.m. and continue throughout the day. The total prize money is $40,000, with $25,000 of that marked for the Pro Category 1 & 2 race—the final race of the day starting at 2:25 p.m.
In addition to watching cyclists, attendees will be able to They'll also be able to enjoy live music, a sports expo, sponsor booths and vendors inside Grant Park.
All races include multiple trophies/medals and cash prizes. Cyclists competing in each race must complete a USA Cycling standard release form and compete by designated USA Cycling licensed category. See www.chicagocriterium.us for more information.
London to host
gay soccer tourney
The Leftfooters FC team will bring the International Gay & Lesbian Football ( a.k.a. Soccer ) Association ( IGLFA ) World Championship to London Aug. 24-30.
Besides the matches, events will include everything from the 'Homophobia in Sport' conference to 'Bubbles & Divas: Bingo Night.'
See www.londonwc2008.co.uk to register. E-mail brian@londonwc2008.co.uk for registration-related inquiries.
Records fall at
gay aquatics tourney
In a stunning development, over 150 swimming records were broken during the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships ( IGLA ) that took place in Washington, D.C., June 19-22.
Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen and former Olympian Glenn Mills were particularly impressive, breaking six International Amateur Swimming Federation ( FINA ) masters world records. This year's IGLA Championships set more United States Master Swimming ( USMS ) and FINA world records than in any previous IGLA Championship.
Pipes-Neilsen has set almost 200 Masters world records. A straight woman competing at an LGBT swim meet, she approaches it with the same intensity as other swim meets. 'I don't look at this meet as a gay and lesbian championships meet,' said Pipes-Neilsen in a statement. 'I look at this as a great championship meet.'
Additionally, 16 short course USMS and 130 IGLA records were broken at the Eppley Recreation Natatorium on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park. But the most memorable performance came from an unlikely athlete. Margaret Camp ( of the District of Columbia ) , an 88-year old swimmer ( and oldest athlete competing ) , set a new IGLA record in the 50-meter freestyle at 1:48.20.
Race Judicata Sprint
Aug. 14
The 15th annual Race Judicata Sprint for Justice—a 5K run & walk that raises money for the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services ( CVLS ) Foundation—will be held Thurs., Aug. 14, at Columbus and Balbo, at 6:30 p.m.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will be this year's official race starter.
Advance registration is $33; $38 on-site. Visit www.cvls.org/judicata or call 312-332-3319.
