Wide World of Kitsap Sports

Forward Marvin Williams of the Atlanta Hawks, who has been out since Dec.29 with a back injury, started working out last week, Michael Cunningham wrote in a story by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Cunningham wrote that Williams has been cleared for contact.

“I feel good,” Williams said. “I haven’t had any pain probably in a week now. I am starting to get my strength back. My conditioning is coming back. I am excited.”

You can read the rest of the story on the health of the Hawks here.

In case you missed it (and since I forgot to mention it here on the blog over the weekend) California senior Nathan Adrian won three individual events and helped the Bears to two relay wins as Cal swept Arizona, 152-135 and Arizona State, 174-5-123.5.

Adrian, a Bremerton native, won the 50-yard freestyle in 19.62 seconds and 100 freestyle in 43.83 against ASU, and was part of the winning 400 medley relay. He also won the 100 backstroke in 50.32 against UA.

The Bears host USC on Feb. 4.

California senior Nathan Adrian and his teammates begin Pac-10 men’s swimming Friday against Arizona State. The meet begins at 1 p.m. The Bears follow that meet with a trip to Tucson to face Arizona at noon on Saturday.

California, which is ranked No. 4 in the nation, looks to be the favorite to win the Pac-10 and contend for an NCAA championship in March.

Scott Ball wrote a nice article in the Cal Sports Quarterly previewing the season here.

Ryan Villopoto of Poulsbo is leading the AMA Motocross standings and will look to capture his second victory in three races this weekend. 

Villopoto and the rest of the field will race at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.

You can read the rest of the L.A. preview story here.

Here’s an Associated Press story mentioning Poulsbo’s Ryan Villopoto.

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Word is coming out that South Kitsap’s Willie Bloomquist has signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It has been speculated that Bloomquist’s next contract would come in the National League to take advantage of his versatility. He reportedly gets a one-year $1.05 million deal.

It’s not everyday an athlete from Bremerton is mentioned in the Washington Post, but BHS grad and California senior Nathan Adrian was given some props from D.C. Sports’ Dan Steinberg after Adrian did the ‘John Wall Dance.’

Steinberg is keeping track of people who are doing the dance started by the NBA point guard and Washington Wizard John Wall.

It’s kind of funny actually. It’s hard to see Adrian do the short little dance after winning the 50-meter freestyle at the Pan Pacs last summer, but keep an eye on him after he touches the wall and you’ll see it.

Here’s a good story ESPN.com did on Steven Gray and his trip to Africa over the summer.

School is canceled at Olympic College today (Wednesday, Jan. 12), but the Rangers’  basketball games at Shoreline are still on.

The OC women (3-7, 0-2 NWAACC North) play Shoreline (4-5, 0-1) in the 5:30 p.m. opener.

The OC men (1-8, 0-2) play Shoreline (7-4, 0-1) at 7:30  p.m.

Got to the NWAACC.org for standings, schedules and other information.

If you like mud, a lot of mud, you’d almost have to be a fan of cyclocross — the bicycle sport that has riders jumping on and off their bikes through mud, grass and pavement. If you are a fan of cyclocross and you’re from Kitsap, you need to follow Zach McDonald.

McDonald is a Bainbridge Island native and a freshman at the University of Washington. He’s also a two-time national champion and finished third in a World Cup race in France last year — it’s a big deal, trust us.

I’m working on a story for sometime next week on McDonald and I’ll be keeping track of him on this blog during the rest of the European and domestic seasons.