LITTLE ROCK — ARENA FOOTBALL New league in works
While the Arena Football League is no more and the Arena Football 2 league was left without a parent league, a new league appears to be rising from both.
Owners of teams from the AFL and AF2 will meet in Tulsa on Monday to finalize the formation of Arena Football 1.
A news conference is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Monday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Tulsa.
Troy Thompson, director of operations for Arkansas Twisters, said he isn't sure how many teams will be a part of the new league because, in part, the deadline for franchise fees isn't until Monday.
"The only thing I know for sure right now is that we will be a part of the Arena Football 1," Thompson said.
Representatives from teams in Oklahoma City and Spokane, Wash., both former AF2 teams, confirmed to Tthe Associated Press on Thursday that they would also be joining the league.
Thompson said it was his understanding that games would start in late March or early April.
AF2 Commissioner Jerry Kurz will serve as commissioner of the new league. The AFL canceled its 2009 season shortly before play was scheduled to begin and folded Aug. 4, 2009. The AF2 continued play but had been unsure about what the league would do after the closing of its parent league.
- Nick Walker MOTOR SPORTS Several special events slated
This weekend will feature many special events at sites around the state.
The 24th annual Smokin' On the Cove, one of the nation's richest drag boat races, will be held today-Sunday on Lake Catherine at Remmel Dam Landing between Hot Springs and Malvern. The event is expected to draw racers from around the country with its $42,000 purse. Winners payouts include $10,000 for the 6-second class, $5,000 in the 7-second class, $4,000 in the 8-second class and $3,000 in the 9-second class. Qualifying will be held today and Saturday, with final eliminations set for Sunday.
Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove will host the 14th annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America Street Stock Nationals, traditionally one of state's most competitive events, tonight and Saturday night. The winner of Saturday night's 40-lap feature will collect $10,000. Adult grandstand admission is $10 tonight and $15 on Saturday, while children aged 6-11 get in for $5 each night. Pit passes are $30 tonight and $35 Saturday.
Beebe Speedway will close out the season tonight with the Razorback Rumble, featuring the Parts Plus USCS sprint car and Rislone USCS modified series. It will be the first visit to the track by either series. The sprint feature will pay $2,000 to win and the modified feature winner will receive $1,000. There will also be added money in the track's e-mod, hobby stock, mini-stock and factory stock divisions. Adult grandstand admission is $20while children under 12 get in free. Pit passes are $30.
On Saturday night, Little Rock's I-30 Speedway will hold the second annual Ralph Henson Memorial for sprint cars, paying $2,000 to win.
VOLLEYBALL UALR wins road match
UALR opened Sun Belt Conference play with a 27-25, 25-14, 25-13 victory over Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday in Monroe. Anita Bucur led the Trojans (7-5, 1-0 Sun Belt) with 12 kills and Katharina Nobel added 10. Giuliana De Francesco had a team-high 38 assists. Kehly MacDuff had 15 digs and Emily Pepperman added 12.
ATU wins in front of record crowd
Arkansas Tech set a single-match and Gulf South Conference attendance record in its 25-10, 25-21, 25-20 victory over Southern Arkansas on Thursday in Russellville. The match drew 975 fans, which bettered the school and conference mark of 930 set last season against Harding.
Sophomore outside hitter Laura Farney led the Golden Suns (11-6, 2-0 Gulf South) with 10 kills. Junior setter Kera Dukic had 29 assists and five kills.
Arkansas-Fort Smith wins
Junior Lucia Najselova served four of Arkansas-Fort Smith's 12 aces Thursday as the Lady Lions defeated Oklahoma City University 25-21, 25-11, 23-25, 25-9.
Arkansas-Fort Smith (14-2) won its second consecutive match and its second against the Stars this season.
Najselova also had a team-high 45 assists and 11 digs.
SOCCER Ozarks men, women lose
Mississippi College's Michael Cooper scored three goals, two of which came in the first half, to lead the Choctaws to a 5-1 victory over the University of the Ozarks on Thursday in Clinton, Miss. Ozarks (4-2-0, 0-2-0) got a goal from Francisco Garza in the 83rd minute.
The Mississippi College women got a goal in each half from Hollye Henderson to beat Ozarks 2-0.
SOFTBALL
Central Arkansas beats Central Baptist The Central Arkansas Bears outhit the Central Baptist Mustangs 7-5 and got 10 strikeouts from freshman pitcher Kelsie Armstrong in a 3-1 victory at City of Colleges Park in Conway.
Armstrong lasted five innings and allowed two hits and a walk in the winning effort. Sophomore Cassidy Rash threw two innings to pick up the save. Central Baptist's Jessica Bock allowed six hits, two earned runs and a walk in five innings.
Kasey Britt and Sarah Garcia led the Bears with two hits each. Third baseman Kayla Lucas went 2 for 3 for the Mustangs.
Sports, Pages 29 on 09/25/2009