Sports briefs

Page 18 | Sports

highlights Sports briefs

BY ADRIAN PEREZ, STAFF WRITER

The legacy of Bill Russell

On July 31, iconic NBA player Bill Russell peacefully passed away. Russell played for the Boston Celtics for 13 years and became the first Black player to coach any major sport by coaching the Celtics.

In his professional career, Russell won 11 championships, earned five NBA MVP awards and an Olympic gold medal and the NBA All-Star MVP Award to name a few.

However, his more significant achievements were off the court and in the field of civil rights. Russell marched with Martin Luther King in 1963, offered support for ending segregation in schools in Boston and has been a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“Bill was always a positive role model, I never heard anything bad about him. Sad to see him go,” athletic director Louis Romero said. h

Presidential Medal of Honor

On July 7, United States women’s national soccer star Megan Rapinoe and United States Olympic gymnast Simone Biles received the Presidential Medal of Freedom to honor their fight for equality and justice.

Megan Rapinoe plays and is co-captain for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Rapinoe was recognized for fighting for equal pay for the U.S. Women’s and Men’s National teams and being an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice.

Simone Biles, the most decorated Olympic gymnast in history, was the first African-American to earn the all-around title. President Joe Biden recognized her athletic achievements, but granted her the award for advocating for gender pay equality, racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights and victims of sexual assult.

“I think they will inspire young athletes to work hard and not be afraid to show who they are,” freshman Emma Velasquez said. h

The Brittney Griner case

WNBA player Brittney Griner was arrested on Feb.17 for carrying vape cartridges with cannabis oil in Russia. The U.S. government states that she was wrongfully detained and is making efforts to release her.

In an effort to help release Griner, the U.S. has offered to swap her with a Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout, but no deal has been reached.

Since July 1, Griner has been on trial and pled guilty, but argued that she did not intentionally pack the cartridges. As of Aug. 4,

Russian judges found Griner guilty of the drug charges and sentenced her to nine years in prison.

“Had Griner been just another tourist in the same situation, she would have just been fined,” senior Gloria Arce said. h

upcoming events

25 Aug. Football game vs American

30 Aug. Girls Volleyball match @ KROP

1 Sept. Swim meet @ Hialeah Gardens

17 Sept. Cross Country Spanish River Invitational

athlete spotlight

Anthony Roles-Fotso, Junior Sport: Cross Country Accomplishments: Top runner on Gables team, ninth best runner in region and 2021 GMAC team runner-ups 5K Personal record: 19:00