Bull rider places second in 2013 season opener

NEW YORK – J.B. Mauney, of Mooresville, tied for second place in the Monster Energy Invitational on Jan. 6 at Madison Square Garden, the 2013 season opener for Professional Bull Riders.

Mauney led the event heading into the finals after successfully riding Monsoon and Unpredictable in the first two rounds. Rock & Roll threw Mauney to the ground in the third round less than one second from victory.

Mauney finished the event tied with Aaron Roy and trailing Robson Palermo. He earned $15,388.33.

PBR action continues with the Chicago Invitational on Jan. 12-13 at Allstate Arena. The season continues through Oct. 28. The PBR World Champion earns $1 million and a Ford pickup truck.

Sweezy gets first NFL Playoffs start

SEATTLE – Mooresville native J.R. Sweezy made his third consecutive start for the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive line Jan. 6 in a 24-14 NFC wildcard playoff victory against the Washington Redskins.

The rookie also started against San Francisco and St. Louis to end the regular season for the Seahawks, who had the third-best rushing offense in the NFL. Sweezy hadn’t started since the first game of the season.

The Seahawks (11-5) play the Atlanta Falcons (13-3) in the second round Jan. 13.

Sweezy graduated from Mooresville High School in 2007. He played defensive line at N.C. State University before becoming the first Mooresville resident selected in NFL draft history.

Wofford’s Sherrill excels in class

SPARTANBURG – Kane Sherrill, a Mooresville native and offensive lineman at Wofford College, was named to the 2012 Southern Conference Fall Academic All-Conference team. The redshirt junior helped the Terriers to a share of the conference championship last fall.

Sherrill was an all-state lineman at Lake Norman High School. He majors in business and finance and maintains a 3.82 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).

To be eligible, student-athletes had to have at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA entering the fall season and were required to compete in at least half of their teams’ games this season. They also must have completed at least 24 credit hours in the previous two semesters.

Davidson Day’s Grier named to MaxPreps All-America team

DAVIDSON – Postseason honors continue to pile up for Will Grier.

Grier, a junior quarterback at Davidson Day, on Jan. 7 was named to the MaxPreps Junior All-America team. Grier, who set several records leading the Patriots to a second straight state championship, last month was named the N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. He also was named to the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association all-state team and the N.C. Associated Press all-state team.

Grier set state records for passing yards in a season (5,785) and touchdown passes (69). He completed 324 of 414 passes (78 percent), and threw 11 two-point conversions. Grier also led the Patriots in rushing (813 yards) and scored eight touchdowns.

Grier, who led the nation in passing yards and touchdowns this season, last month committed to play college football at Florida.

Davidson’s Brooks reaches scoring  milestone in lopsided victory

DAVIDSON – Jake Cohen scored a game-high 20 points and frontcourt mate De’Mon Brooks scored his 1,000th career point to lead five double-figure scorers in Davidson’s 85-53 victory against UNC Greensboro in a Southern Conference basketball game Jan. 7 at Belk Arena.

Brooks, a Hopewell High alum, became the 43rd player in Davidson history to reach the 1,000-point plateau when he sank two free throws late in the second half.

Chris Czerapowicz led Davidson (8-6, 3-0 in Southern Conference) with 10 rebounds. Nik Cochran added 12 points, Tyler Kalinoski scored 11 and J.P. Kuhlman had 10.

Davidson will next play at 4 p.m. Jan. 12 in a road game at Furman.

Valentine’s 5K targets couples

DENVER – A Valentine’s 5K race and couples’ fun run will be held Feb. 16 at the Cowan’s Ford Country Club 761 Club Road (off N.C. 73). The 5K will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the couples’ run at 10:15 a.m.

The 5K course will be slightly hilly, begin near the clubhouse, wind through the neighborhood and golf course and finish at the CFCC tennis courts. The fun run will be a one-mile loop along the banks of Lake Norman.

Age groups for both races are 10 and younger, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80 and older.

Overall male and female winners will win trophies. First and second place in each category will receive medals. Registration costs $20 for individuals and $35 for couples, if postmarked before Feb. 4. After Feb. 4, it will cost $25 for individuals and $45 for couples. Fun run registration costs $10 per person.

Make checks payable to East Lincoln Cross Country Team. Mail to: Coach Melvin Morrison, East Lincoln High School, 6471 Hwy. 73, Denver NC 28037. Advance registration will be available 4:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Omega Sports in Huntersville, and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at Cowan’s Ford Country Club.