Some random thoughts while enjoying a relaxing summer here in Blair County:
n Congratulations are in order for Altoona javelin star Neil Huynh, who recently captured first place at the Nike Outdoor National Track and Field Meet in North Carolina.
Huynh followed up his third place finish in the PIAA championships with a national title, upsetting Oklahoma recruit Ben Latham with a winning throw of 204'6. It's an impressive way to round out his high school career: breaking his personal record by six feet.
n If you're a runner who enjoys getting off the track, this might be just the thing for you: A Sloppy Socks 5K Run.
It starts this Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at Legion Park in Hollidaysburg. Wear old sneakers! The course promises to go through trails and creeks with plenty of mud sounds fun. To register, log on to www.hollidaysburgpa.org. Proceeds benefit the Hollidaysburg Community Partnership and Historical Preservation Commission.
n Former Penn State football star Matthew Rice was back in Happy Valley over the weekend for an afternoon at the all-sports museum.
Rice is focusing on his artistic talent rather than his football skills after conquering a brain tumor last year. His personality and life outlook are still that of a winner, as evidenced in his burgeoning company, Mateo Blu.
n Former NASCAR Cup Champion, Tony Stewart is leaving Joe Gibbs racing for part ownership in the new Stewart-Haas race team.
It will be interesting to see how the self-professed bad-boy makes out in his new role. Not exactly known for his cool head or diplomatic skills, Stewart will be testing his talent on and off the track, including pursuing sponsors and handling personnel issues. Hopefully he's learned a few things from the business-savvy-and-gentlemanly Joe Gibbs, and will be able to find success that has eluded many other drivers-turned-owners in the sport's history.
n If you have some time this weekend, why not take a kid fishing?
The most recent National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Recreation indicate that fewer of our youth are enjoying the sport, even though this area is rich in resources to wet a line. Fishing with kids is just fun, even if you don't reel in a thing. Most of us will remember falling into the lake, telling old stories or locking the keys in the car far more than the number of fish we caught on any given day.
n Sorry to hear of the passing of comedian, George Carlin last month.
His routine about the difference between two of America's favorite sports, football and baseball, is an all-time favorite. The best part, Carlin's partial description of each game's objective: "In football, the object is for the quarterback, also known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his receivers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. In baseball, the object is to go home! And to be safe! I hope I'll be safe at home!" Classic.
Goodman can be reached at kgoodman@amcvb.com. Her column appears on Tuesdays.
