“Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.” ~Muhammad Ali
This week in sports, a number of defining moments showed us that greatness is not only about skill but also about overcoming obstacles, embracing challenges, and sometimes, embracing failure to find success. Here’s a look at some of the most noteworthy events:
1. Rick Pitino’s Curious Decision in the NCAA Tournament: At the most critical juncture of his team’s dream season, with a second-round NCAA tournament matchup against No. 10 Arkansas hanging in the balance, legendary St. John’s coach Rick Pitino made a curious choice in a loss to Arkansas. He seemingly favored his own arrogance and rejected team continuity, sacrificing a chance to win, with his best player sitting on the bench. Moral: No matter how inefficient, moments can be teachable without surrendering a loss.
2. Lewis Hamilton’s Highs and Lows at the Chinese Grand Prix: F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, in just his second race weekend with Ferrari, qualified on pole position and won the 19-lap sprint race Saturday morning in the Chinese GP, only to be disqualified Sunday in the full-length grand prix after post-race “scrutineering” checks in Shanghai. The wear on the plank (a wood resin strip under the car) was found to be below the 9mm permitted by the regulations. Perhaps Enzo Ferrari was right, “Aerodynamics are for people who can’t build engines.”
3. Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson stunned the wrestling world in the last 30 seconds to upset the mighty Gable Steveson of Minnesota on Saturday night. The irony: Perhaps the moment mattered most because of what Gable has achieved over his career. He was the pinnacle of collegiate sports with a record of 103 wins and only three losses, had a 70-match win streak, won two NCAA Division I National Championships, and an Olympics gold. Champions give meaning to those who chase.
4. Shelby Houlihan earned a silver medal in the 5,000 meters at the USATF Indoor Championships, making a strong return after serving a controversial burrito ban for a failed drug test. Apparently, it wasn’t just the burritos that were spicy—her performance showed that no ban can stop her from reaching the podium! Not even a claim that her prior positive result came from consuming a pork burrito purchased from a Mexican food truck near her home in Beaverton, Oregon.
5. Coaching Shakeups in College Basketball: Texas Longhorns and Iowa Hawkeyes make coaching changes in their basketball programs. After a tough gauntlet in the SEC where the team went 6-12, Texas decided to move on from coach Rodney Terry. Texas lost to Xavier in the NCAA First Four on Wednesday night. And later, Texas hired the Xavier coach Sean Miller. Iowa opted to hire a native Iowan and former coach at Drake with a successful background. Ben McCollum is the new men’s basketball coach, replacing Fran McCaffery.
6. UNC Says Goodbye to RJ Davis: RJ Davis gave it his all throughout his career at UNC, embodying the heart and tenacity of a Tar Heel. Though his journey ended with a tough tournament loss, his legacy as a fierce competitor and clutch performer will forever be remembered in Chapel Hill. Salute RJ!
7. The Tragic Loss of Miller Gardner: In heartbreaking news, we learned of the passing of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner. Miller tragically passed away after falling ill while on vacation, joining several other family members who were also affected. Our deepest condolences go out to the Gardner family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask for privacy as they grieve the loss of their young son.
8. Derik Queen’s Buzzer-Beater Sends Maryland to the Sweet 16: In one of the most dramatic moments of the NCAA Tournament, University of Maryland’s Derik Queen delivered a stunning buzzer-beater to secure a victory over Colorado State and send the Terrapins to the Sweet 16. After Colorado State’s Jalen Lake hit what seemed like a game-winning shot with under 10 seconds left, Queen stepped up and drained a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to seal the win. The clutch shot solidified Queen’s place as the big man on campus for the day, and Maryland’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016.
9. Virginia Women’s Swim Team Makes History: We were left to wonder if the University of Virginia Cavaliers women’s swim crew should best be described as an elite class (or pod) of mermaids? With strong efforts from the Walsh sisters (Gretchen Walsh and Alex Walsh) and Claire Curzan, the University of Virginia Cavaliers secured their fifth consecutive NCAA swim championship, a feat rarely seen in modern athletics. The Virginia women’s swim team has cemented itself as one of the greatest dynasties in sports as of Saturday March 22.
This past week served as a reminder that sports are more than just games; they’re about the ebb and flow of life, challenges, growth, and the striving to better your best. Whether it’s a coach’s decision, a buzzer-beater, or an unexpected upset, each of these moments adds to the ever-growing tapestry of what makes sports so captivating. Here’s to the dreamers, the challengers, and the champions.