Sports News from The Arizona Republic » Richard Obert

Defensive backs’ ability to bounce back keys Arizona Rattlers’ 7-1 start

Richard Obert — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:59:50 +0000

Jeremy Kellem used to believe he would never get beat by a receiver.
Then, he stepped into an Arena Football League game last season.

Arizona Rattlers concerned about beating Chicago Rush, not owner drama

Richard Obert — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:45:17 +0000

At least the Rattlers know that Allstate Arena will open its doors Sunday afternoon for their Arena Football League game at the Chicago Rush.
AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz promised that the Rush would play out their scheduled games, despite the owner, David Staral Jr., being removed by the league for having a $50,000 check to rent the arena bounce a few weeks ago.

‘Marquee athletes’ aim to snap state records

Richard Obert — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:22:52 +0000

In what is considered one of the deepest field of athletes in Arizona prep history, as many as 10 state records could fall in the track and field championships that begin Wednesday and conclude Saturday at Mesa Community College.
“Every year there has been marquee athletes,” said Chandler Athletic Director Dave Shapiro, who helps run the state meets. “This year there are more of them.”

Memory of teammate fuels Scottsdale Prep girls track team

Richard Obert — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:34:32 +0000

Twenty-five girls show up for practice wearing blue shirts with “Hudson’s Heroes” on the front and “Be strong and courageous” on the back.
When the workouts get difficult, they draw strength from the girl who always thought she’d be back in the discus ring, even when she couldn’t walk and could barely move her right hand.

Grand Canyon University to host hoops tourney

Richard Obert — Wed, 01 May 2013 05:49:36 +0000

Jerry Colangelo’s stamp on Grand Canyon University has helped open the doors to its arena for the expansion of the Springfield, Mass.-based Hoophall Classic.
On Dec. 13-14, five national high-school boys basketball powers — Oak Hill Academy (Virginia), Yates (Texas), Mater Dei (California), Bishop Gorman (Nevada) and Orange Lutheran (California) — will be playing at GCU Arena as part of the first Hoophall West, the West Coast version of the annual Hoophall Classic that receives national exposure and last season featured ESPN’s top 10 nationally ranked teams. It was created by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Former Notre Dame Prep QB Sean Renfree surprised by draft

Richard Obert — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:24:07 +0000

Quarterback Sean Renfree was thinking free agency late in the seventh and final round of the NFL draft Saturday, before the Atlanta Falcons called him.
The former Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep star spoke to General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, who told him he had been taken with the team ‘s final pick, the 249th overall. Renfree then spoke to head coach Mike Smith.

Scottsdale’s Sean Renfree drafted by Atlanta Falcons in 7th round

Richard Obert — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:34:55 +0000

Ex-Scottsdale Notre Dame quarterback Sean Renfree went late in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons.
Renfree was the Arizona Football Player of the Year his senior season at Notre Dame, before moving on to Duke.

Three ex-Chandler HS players taken in same draft

Richard Obert — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:47:36 +0000

Cornerback Marc Anthony was chosen by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round Saturday, giving Chandler High three former players taken in the NFL Draft.
Anthony, a late bloomer at Chandler, played at California, where he showed improvement each year.

Chandler’s Dion Jordan drafted third overall by Miami Dolphins in NFL draft

Richard Obert — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:47:31 +0000

Former Chandler High athlete Dion Jordan was the third overall pick of the NFL draft on Thursday, becoming the highest Arizona prep product taken in a major sports draft since ex-Phoenix Shadow Mountain point guard Mike Bibby was the No. 2 NBA pick in 1998.
The Miami Dolphins traded their Nos. 12 and 42 picks to the Oakland Raiders to take the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Jordan, who played defensive end and outside linebacker at Oregon.

Four draft prospects played for Chandler High

Richard Obert — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:49:29 +0000

In the 2007 football season, Chandler High had Dion Jordan at receiver, Marc Anthony at cornerback and Kurt Mangum at linebacker.
The next season, receiver/safety Markus Wheaton played his final prep season for Chandler.