ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE&nbsp;<a>TOUB&nbsp;</a>

Q: It’s early, but who are you eyeing as punt returner or kick returner?

TOUB:&nbsp;“Punt returner – if you watch when we warm up, I’ve got like 19 guys out there, but in reality, there’s probably five (or) six guys that could do it. You know, (Xavier) Worthy - no question. (Kadarius) Toney’s in there, Mecole (Hardman), Hollywood (Brown) – he’s (an) exciting guy to think about that he could do it, and the guy that’s really done a really good job is Nikko Remigio.”&nbsp;

Q: How excited or nervous are you for the new kickoff rule?

TOUB:&nbsp;“Both. I’m excited and nervous about it, you know, to be honest. We’ve been working on it a lot, going to work on it again tomorrow in practice, (and we’re) going to work on it in walkthroughs – mostly every time, but there’s a lot of unknowns with it. How are teams going to attack you, what are they going to do, and what are their kickers going to do, what’s going to be the philosophy, and how are they going to officiate it, too. We have the officials here, and we’re going to sit down today, in fact, and watch our tape and have those guys tell us, good or bad, what we’re doing. It’s going to be an ongoing – these preseason games are going to be important for us.”

Q:&nbsp;Are there any young guys you particularly want to see when the preseason starts?

TOUB:&nbsp;“Yeah, I want to see Louis (Rees-Zammit) – I mean he’s number one. I want to see how he handles being tackled and blocking. I love him. I love the way he works, so I want him to do well. So, I’m looking forward to seeing him. I’m looking forward to seeing Nikko (Remigio). I’m looking forward to seeing (Swayze) Bozeman – who showed up, (a) linebacker – he’s done a lot in camp, and (Curtis) Jacobs – a lot of those linebackers. I love the linebacker room. Safeties, I’m excited about them, too. Guys like (Tyree) Gillespie and that whole room really is pretty good.”

Q:&nbsp;What have been the challenges in transitioning from the offseason into camp in St. Joseph?

KELCE:&nbsp;“This is my sanctuary, baby. St. Joe. Year 12. That means I’ve spent just about an entire year of my life up here in the dorms. Everybody may see that as pretty grueling, but I enjoy it, man. There’s something about this place that gets you ready every single year and I’m not going to lie, I got pretty excited as the time started counting down to get out here and get this thing rolling.”

Q:&nbsp;Is camp as valuable for you as it once was?&nbsp;

KELCE:&nbsp;“100%, it still is. It’s where it all starts. You can say it starts in the offseason, and yeah, you want to get that foundation set in the offseason of the leadership and the mentality and things like that, but at the end of the day, this is where you really find out what the team is made of. How you sharpen the iron, how you guys practice, your practice habits, (and) the attention to detail. Nobody does it better than (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Coach Spags, man.”

Q:&nbsp;Are you doing anything different maintenance wise in year 12 to protect your body and get better?

KELCE:&nbsp;“Over every single season you find ways to get better and what works for you (and) what doesn’t. You just want to amp it up every single year so that you keep finding ways to kind of climb that staircase of success. I would say I’m doing some things different but nothing really in the grand scheme of things. (I’m) just putting my nose down and grinding.”

Q: How do you expect your role to expand now that Saints LB Wille Gay Jr. is no longer with the team?

CHENAL:&nbsp;“You know it’s really anything they ask me to do. I have certain strengths to my game, whether it’s getting down the line (or) addressing blockers, so it’s really doing whatever (Defensive Coordinator) (Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) asks me to do – lining up in the A-gap on the edge (and) off the ball, I’m getting more and more comfortable with the things I didn’t do in college and hopefully it’ll get me more time on the field and help the team out as best as I can.”

Q: What are your impressions of Travis Kelce and what he’s still able to do on the field?

CHENAL:&nbsp;“Man it’s crazy - the most impressive thing is like the energy he brings. Whatever year it is – he’s been in the league a while. He’s still dominating. He's still bringing the energy in OTAs, like he’s still out here doing everything at a top level, but also like bringing his teammates up with him this late in his career.”

Q: How much confidence did you gain from Defense Coordinator Coach Steve Spagnuolo when he used you more in the postseason than in the regular season? What do you think that means for your role this season?

Chiefs Coordinator Quotes&nbsp;July 27, 2024&nbsp;ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE&nbsp;<a>TOUB&nbsp;</a>Q: It’s early, but who are you eyeing as punt returner or kick returner?TOUB:&nbsp;“Punt returner – if you watch when we warm up, I’ve got like 19 guys out there, but in reality, there’s probably five (or) six guys that could do it. You know, (Xavier) Worthy - no question. (Kadarius) Toney’s in there, Mecole (Hardman), Hollywood (Brown) – he’s (an) exciting guy to think about that he could do it, and the guy that’s really done a really good job is Nikko Remigio.”&nbsp;Q: How excited or nervous are you for the new kickoff rule?TOUB:&nbsp;“Both. I’m excited and nervous about it, you know, to be honest. We’ve been working on it a lot, going to work on it again tomorrow in practice, (and we’re) going to work on it in walkthroughs – mostly every time, but there’s a lot of unknowns with it. How are teams going to attack you, what are they going to do, and what are their kickers going to do, what’s going to be the philosophy, and how are they going to officiate it, too. We have the officials here, and we’re going to sit down today, in fact, and watch our tape and have those guys tell us, good or bad, what we’re doing. It’s going to be an ongoing – these preseason games are going to be important for us.”Q:&nbsp;Are there any young guys you particularly want to see when the preseason starts?TOUB:&nbsp;“Yeah, I want to see Louis (Rees-Zammit) – I mean he’s number one. I want to see how he handles being tackled and blocking. I love him. I love the way he works, so I want him to do well. So, I’m looking forward to seeing him. I’m looking forward to seeing Nikko (Remigio). I’m looking forward to seeing (Swayze) Bozeman – who showed up, (a) linebacker – he’s done a lot in camp, and (Curtis) Jacobs – a lot of those linebackers. I love the linebacker room. Safeties, I’m excited about them, too. Guys like (Tyree) Gillespie and that whole room really is pretty good.”Chiefs Player QuotesJuly 27, 2024TE TRAVIS KELCEQ:&nbsp;What have been the challenges in transitioning from the offseason into camp in St. Joseph?KELCE:&nbsp;“This is my sanctuary, baby. St. Joe. Year 12. That means I’ve spent just about an entire year of my life up here in the dorms. Everybody may see that as pretty grueling, but I enjoy it, man. There’s something about this place that gets you ready every single year and I’m not going to lie, I got pretty excited as the time started counting down to get out here and get this thing rolling.”Q:&nbsp;Is camp as valuable for you as it once was?&nbsp;KELCE:&nbsp;“100%, it still is. It’s where it all starts. You can say it starts in the offseason, and yeah, you want to get that foundation set in the offseason of the leadership and the mentality and things like that, but at the end of the day, this is where you really find out what the team is made of. How you sharpen the iron, how you guys practice, your practice habits, (and) the attention to detail. Nobody does it better than (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Coach Spags, man.”Q:&nbsp;Are you doing anything different maintenance wise in year 12 to protect your body and get better?KELCE:&nbsp;“Over every single season you find ways to get better and what works for you (and) what doesn’t. You just want to amp it up every single year so that you keep finding ways to kind of climb that staircase of success. I would say I’m doing some things different but nothing really in the grand scheme of things. (I’m) just putting my nose down and grinding.”LB LEO CHENALQ: How do you expect your role to expand now that Saints LB Wille Gay Jr. is no longer with the team?CHENAL:&nbsp;“You know it’s really anything they ask me to do. I have certain strengths to my game, whether it’s getting down the line (or) addressing blockers, so it’s really doing whatever (Defensive Coordinator) (Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) asks me to do – lining up in the A-gap on the edge (and) off the ball, I’m getting more and more comfortable with the things I didn’t do in college and hopefully it’ll get me more time on the field and help the team out as best as I can.”Q: What are your impressions of Travis Kelce and what he’s still able to do on the field?CHENAL:&nbsp;“Man it’s crazy - the most impressive thing is like the energy he brings. Whatever year it is – he’s been in the league a while. He’s still dominating. He's still bringing the energy in OTAs, like he’s still out here doing everything at a top level, but also like bringing his teammates up with him this late in his career.”Q: How much confidence did you gain from Defense Coordinator Coach Steve Spagnuolo when he used you more in the postseason than in the regular season? What do you think that means for your role this season?

Chiefs Quotes July 27

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer that highlighted a six-run fifth inning and Kansas City beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 Friday night in front of the Royals' second-largest crowd of the season.

Friday night's attendance of 36,351 at Kauffman Stadium was topped only by the 38,775 on opening day.

The Royals, in third place in the AL Central behind Cleveland and Minnesota, moved 10 games over .500 at 57-47 and eclipsed last season's win total.

Brady Singer (7-6) was nearly flawless, allowing just two hits in seven innings while striking out five and walking two. The 27-year-old right-hander combined with Will Smith and Chris Stratton to limit the Cubs to four hits.

Kyle Hendricks (2-9) allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings in the loss.

The fifth inning was key for both pitchers.

Singer hit Mike Tauchman with a pitch leading off the fifth before Dansby Swanson's soft liner sent Tauchman to third. Swanson went to second on the throw to third. But Singer got Miles Mastrobuoni to ground out to second. Miguel Amaya hit a flyout to center, and Kyle Isbel threw out Tauchman at the plate.

The Royals unloaded on Hendricks in their half of the inning. With two outs, Garrett Hampson had a bloop hit to right, and Kyle Isbel followed with a single through the hole at short. Isbel stole second before Adam Frazier drove in both runs with another blooper to right. Bobby Witt Jr. then singled and Vinnie Pasquantino's single drove in Frazier. Perez then launched a 429-foot line drive homer down the left-field line to break open the game.

Cubs: C Tomas Nido was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 25, with a right knee sprain. ... C Christian Bethancourt was selected from Triple-A Iowa... P Ben Brown was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Royals: OF MJ Melendez began a rehab assignment in Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday night. He went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly and a run. Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said it's possible that Melendez could join the team this weekend. He's been on the injured list since July 16, retroactive to July 15, with a sprained left ankle.

The Cubs will send LHP Shota Imanaga (8-2, 2.86 ERA) against Royals' RHP Seth Lugo (12-4, 2.38 ERA) in the second game of the three-game series Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722048716022.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer that highlighted a six-run fifth inning and Kansas City beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 Friday night in front of the Royals' second-largest crowd of the season.Friday night's attendance of 36,351 at Kauffman Stadium was topped only by the 38,775 on opening day.The Royals, in third place in the AL Central behind Cleveland and Minnesota, moved 10 games over .500 at 57-47 and eclipsed last season's win total.Brady Singer (7-6) was nearly flawless, allowing just two hits in seven innings while striking out five and walking two. The 27-year-old right-hander combined with Will Smith and Chris Stratton to limit the Cubs to four hits.Kyle Hendricks (2-9) allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings in the loss.The fifth inning was key for both pitchers.Singer hit Mike Tauchman with a pitch leading off the fifth before Dansby Swanson's soft liner sent Tauchman to third. Swanson went to second on the throw to third. But Singer got Miles Mastrobuoni to ground out to second. Miguel Amaya hit a flyout to center, and Kyle Isbel threw out Tauchman at the plate.The Royals unloaded on Hendricks in their half of the inning. With two outs, Garrett Hampson had a bloop hit to right, and Kyle Isbel followed with a single through the hole at short. Isbel stole second before Adam Frazier drove in both runs with another blooper to right. Bobby Witt Jr. then singled and Vinnie Pasquantino's single drove in Frazier. Perez then launched a 429-foot line drive homer down the left-field line to break open the game.TRANSACTIONS:Cubs: C Tomas Nido was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 25, with a right knee sprain. ... C Christian Bethancourt was selected from Triple-A Iowa... P Ben Brown was transferred to the 60-day injured list.TRAINING ROOM:Royals: OF MJ Melendez began a rehab assignment in Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday night. He went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly and a run. Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said it's possible that Melendez could join the team this weekend. He's been on the injured list since July 16, retroactive to July 15, with a sprained left ankle.UP NEXT:The Cubs will send LHP Shota Imanaga (8-2, 2.86 ERA) against Royals' RHP Seth Lugo (12-4, 2.38 ERA) in the second game of the three-game series Saturday.

⚾ Salvador Perez's 3-run homer leads Royals to win over Cubs

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Six home games at Bramlage Coliseum, including a marquee matchup with LSU, highlight the non-conference schedule for third-year head coach Jerome Tang and his Kansas State men’s basketball program, as announced on Friday morning (July 26).

In addition to its six home games, K-State will host reigning Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion Drake in the Wildcat Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Tuesday, December 21.

Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are currently available, with prices starting at less than $18 per game. Fans can purchase tickets now to see the Wildcats all year, including matchups against KU, Iowa State, Houston, and conference newcomer Arizona by visiting [www.kstatesports.com/tickets](http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets) or calling (800) 221.CATS.

K-State will open its 121st season of men’s basketball with the second of five straight home games, as the Wildcats face New Orleans on Tuesday, November 5. The contest with the Privateers is followed by matchups against Cleveland State on Saturday, November 9, LSU on Thursday, November 14, and Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday, November 19.

The season-opening homestand will begin on Tuesday, October 29, with an exhibition against Fort Hays State.

In all, the Wildcats will play 16 home games in 2024-25, including 10 against Big 12 Conference foes. These matchups will feature visits from NCAA Tournament participants Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, and Texas Tech. Further details will be released at a later date.

As previously announced, K-State will play in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, which runs from Friday to Monday, November 22-25, at the University of Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. The Wildcats will play George Washington in the first round, followed by either Louisiana or Liberty in round two. The field also includes NCAA Tournament participants UAB, Longwood, McNeese, and Illinois State.

Fan travel packages are currently available via the Paradise Jam website or by clicking [here](link). All packages include tickets, transportation to/from games, a tournament gift, and dedicated tournament staff at The Westin Beach Resort &amp; Spa at Frenchman’s Reef (can view [here](link)).

Aside from the Paradise Jam, the Wildcats will play a pair of previously announced road non-conference games with a trip to St. John’s on Saturday, December 7, in the final installment of the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle and a visit to Koch Arena in Wichita on Saturday, December 21, to take on in-state rival Wichita State.

K-State finished the 2023-24 season with a 19-15 record, including an 8-10 mark in Big 12 play, and advanced to the NIT. Among the Wildcats’ 19 victories were four over Top 25 teams, including three in the Top 10. The team has won 45 games in Tang’s first two seasons, including consecutive postseason appearances.

The Wildcats return three lettermen (senior David N’Guessan and sophomores Taj Manning and Macaleab Rich) in 2024-25, along with 10 newcomers, which includes eight Division I transfers, a junior college All-American (Mobi Ikegwuruka), and a top-50 high school prospect (David Castillo).

The transfer class is considered one of the best in the country and includes notable additions Achor Achor (Samford), Coleman Hawkins (Illinois), Dug McDaniel (Michigan), and Ugonna Onyenso (Kentucky) as well as Baye Fall (Arkansas), Brendan Hausen (Villanova), C.J. Jones (UIC), and Max Jones (Cal State Fullerton).

Tuesday | Oct. 29 | FORT HAYS STATE (Exh.)

Tuesday | Nov. 19 | MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

Friday | Nov. 22 | vs. George Washington (Paradise Jam)

Sat./Sun. | Nov. 23/24 | vs. Liberty or Louisiana (Paradise Jam)

Monday | Nov. 25 | vs. TBD (Paradise Jam)

Saturday | Dec. 7 | at St. John's (BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle)

Saturday | Dec. 17 | DRAKE (Wildcat Classic)

- K-State will open the 2024-25 season with five consecutive home games for the first time since 2020-21.

- The Nov. 5 opener with New Orleans ties for the earliest home opener in school history and the earliest since a Nov. 5 matchup with North Dakota State in 2019. It will be the first meeting with the Privateers since the first and only matchup in 1999.

- K-State is a combined 5-0 all-time against its first three regular-season opponents (New Orleans, Cleveland State, and LSU).

- The Wildcats will face at least one first-time opponent in Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 19), while they could face UAB and/or Liberty for the first time in the Paradise Jam.

- LSU will visit Bramlage Coliseum for the first time on Nov. 14, as K-State attempts to sweep the two-game series after a 75-60 win by the Wildcats in 2023-24.

- In addition to UNO, K-State will face Cleveland State for the fourth time overall and the first time since 2010, while UAPB (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) visits for the sixth time and the first since 2019. The Wildcats are 8-0 all-time against the two schools.

- K-State will play in the Paradise Jam for the third time (2020, 2018, 2024), winning the in-season tournament in 2018 with victories over Eastern Kentucky, Penn, and Missouri.

- K-State will play St. John’s in the final BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle on Dec. 7. It will be the first meeting between the schools since 1965 with the series tied at 1-1. The Wildcats are 1-3 all-time in the inter-conference series, snapping a three-game losing streak with a 72-71 overtime win over Villanova in 2023-24.

- K-State will face Drake in the 13th Wildcat Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The school is 10-2 all-time in the event, which started in 2007. This will be the 28th meeting with Drake with K-State leading the series, 20-7, and the first not at a campus site.

- K-State will conclude a four-game series with in-state rival Wichita State on Dec. 21. It is the first matchup at Koch Arena since a 79-66 Wildcat win on Dec. 7, 2002.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Six home games at Bramlage Coliseum, including a marquee matchup with LSU, highlight the non-conference schedule for third-year head coach Jerome Tang and his Kansas State men’s basketball program, as announced on Friday morning (July 26).In addition to its six home games, K-State will host reigning Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion Drake in the Wildcat Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Tuesday, December 21.Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are currently available, with prices starting at less than $18 per game. Fans can purchase tickets now to see the Wildcats all year, including matchups against KU, Iowa State, Houston, and conference newcomer Arizona by visiting [www.kstatesports.com/tickets](http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets) or calling (800) 221.CATS.K-State will open its 121st season of men’s basketball with the second of five straight home games, as the Wildcats face New Orleans on Tuesday, November 5. The contest with the Privateers is followed by matchups against Cleveland State on Saturday, November 9, LSU on Thursday, November 14, and Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday, November 19.The season-opening homestand will begin on Tuesday, October 29, with an exhibition against Fort Hays State.In all, the Wildcats will play 16 home games in 2024-25, including 10 against Big 12 Conference foes. These matchups will feature visits from NCAA Tournament participants Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, and Texas Tech. Further details will be released at a later date.As previously announced, K-State will play in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, which runs from Friday to Monday, November 22-25, at the University of Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. The Wildcats will play George Washington in the first round, followed by either Louisiana or Liberty in round two. The field also includes NCAA Tournament participants UAB, Longwood, McNeese, and Illinois State.Fan travel packages are currently available via the Paradise Jam website or by clicking [here](link). All packages include tickets, transportation to/from games, a tournament gift, and dedicated tournament staff at The Westin Beach Resort &amp; Spa at Frenchman’s Reef (can view [here](link)).Aside from the Paradise Jam, the Wildcats will play a pair of previously announced road non-conference games with a trip to St. John’s on Saturday, December 7, in the final installment of the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle and a visit to Koch Arena in Wichita on Saturday, December 21, to take on in-state rival Wichita State.K-State finished the 2023-24 season with a 19-15 record, including an 8-10 mark in Big 12 play, and advanced to the NIT. Among the Wildcats’ 19 victories were four over Top 25 teams, including three in the Top 10. The team has won 45 games in Tang’s first two seasons, including consecutive postseason appearances.The Wildcats return three lettermen (senior David N’Guessan and sophomores Taj Manning and Macaleab Rich) in 2024-25, along with 10 newcomers, which includes eight Division I transfers, a junior college All-American (Mobi Ikegwuruka), and a top-50 high school prospect (David Castillo).The transfer class is considered one of the best in the country and includes notable additions Achor Achor (Samford), Coleman Hawkins (Illinois), Dug McDaniel (Michigan), and Ugonna Onyenso (Kentucky) as well as Baye Fall (Arkansas), Brendan Hausen (Villanova), C.J. Jones (UIC), and Max Jones (Cal State Fullerton).2024-25 Non-Conference ScheduleDay | Date | OpponentTuesday | Oct. 29 | FORT HAYS STATE (Exh.)Tuesday | Nov. 5 | NEW ORLEANSSaturday | Nov. 9 | CLEVELAND STATEThursday | Nov. 14 | LSUTuesday | Nov. 19 | MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATEFriday | Nov. 22 | vs. George Washington (Paradise Jam)Sat./Sun. | Nov. 23/24 | vs. Liberty or Louisiana (Paradise Jam)Monday | Nov. 25 | vs. TBD (Paradise Jam)Sunday | Dec. 1 | UAPBSaturday | Dec. 7 | at St. John's (BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle)Saturday | Dec. 17 | DRAKE (Wildcat Classic)Saturday | Dec. 21 | at Wichita State<h2>Schedule Notes</h2>- K-State will open the 2024-25 season with five consecutive home games for the first time since 2020-21.- The Nov. 5 opener with New Orleans ties for the earliest home opener in school history and the earliest since a Nov. 5 matchup with North Dakota State in 2019. It will be the first meeting with the Privateers since the first and only matchup in 1999.- K-State is a combined 5-0 all-time against its first three regular-season opponents (New Orleans, Cleveland State, and LSU).- The Wildcats will face at least one first-time opponent in Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 19), while they could face UAB and/or Liberty for the first time in the Paradise Jam.- LSU will visit Bramlage Coliseum for the first time on Nov. 14, as K-State attempts to sweep the two-game series after a 75-60 win by the Wildcats in 2023-24.- In addition to UNO, K-State will face Cleveland State for the fourth time overall and the first time since 2010, while UAPB (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) visits for the sixth time and the first since 2019. The Wildcats are 8-0 all-time against the two schools.- K-State will play in the Paradise Jam for the third time (2020, 2018, 2024), winning the in-season tournament in 2018 with victories over Eastern Kentucky, Penn, and Missouri.- K-State will play St. John’s in the final BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle on Dec. 7. It will be the first meeting between the schools since 1965 with the series tied at 1-1. The Wildcats are 1-3 all-time in the inter-conference series, snapping a three-game losing streak with a 72-71 overtime win over Villanova in 2023-24.- K-State will face Drake in the 13th Wildcat Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The school is 10-2 all-time in the event, which started in 2007. This will be the 28th meeting with Drake with K-State leading the series, 20-7, and the first not at a campus site.- K-State will conclude a four-game series with in-state rival Wichita State on Dec. 21. It is the first matchup at Koch Arena since a 79-66 Wildcat win on Dec. 7, 2002.

K-State MBB: six home games highlight non-conference schedule in 202

PARIS - Nine with Kansas Jayhawks ties will be competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics, which get underway this Friday with the opening ceremony.

The Jayhawks will be represented across multiple sports with Michael Joseph, Yoveinny Mota, Sharon Lokedi, Bryce Hoppel, Hussain Al Hizam and Alexandra Emilianov all joining Head Coach Stanley Redwine and Event Manager Tim Weaver on the track and field side, while Joel Embiid will be competing on Team USA for men's basketball. 

Joseph, the lone current student athlete in this year's Olympics, was chosen to be the flag bearer for his home country of Saint Lucia in Friday's opening ceremony. The standout sprinter for the Jayhawks qualified for his first-career Olympic games at the 2023 Outdoor Big 12 Championships in Norman, Oklahoma. Joseph ran a new career-best of 44.77 in the men's 400m, which was good for a new school and national record as well. 

Redwine, his event coach, won't be on the same side as Joseph in the Olympics and will be serving his country as the Head Coach of Team USA for men's track and field. He will be joined by former Jayhawk Weaver, who was named Team USA's Event Manager.

"I'm excited to serve our nation by working with our athletes and gaining knowledge that will make me a better coach at KU," said Redwine. "I pray that USA will get more medals than we ever have before."

Hoppel will also be repping the red, white and blue in the men's 800m, having most recently come off a gold medal at the 2024 US Olympic Trials in Eugene to qualify. The Midland, Texas native, ran a 1:42.77 in the men's 800m final, which set a new US Olympic Trials event record. 

Current Jayhawk Distance Coach Michael Whittlesey coached Hoppel while he was running at Kansas and continues to coach the now-professional adidas runner. He too will be joining Hoppel and Redwine in Paris for the event. 

Al Hizam rounds out on the men's side, qualifying to represent Saudi Arabia in the men's pole vault based on his current world ranking in the event. During his time at Kansas, Al Hizam was the 2018 Indoor Pole Vault NCAA National Champion, as well as also claiming third place medals at NCAA's on two separate occasions. 

On the women's side, Mota is set to compete in the 100m hurdles for Venezuela. 

The graduate senior transferred from Arkansas in November 2023, joining the Jayhawks for her final year of eligibility. Mota is the current 100m hurdles school record holder with a time of 12.66, which she ran at NCAA West Prelims, the meet at which she qualified for the Paris games. 

Lokedi will be running the women's marathon in her first Olympic games, representing her home country of Kenya. 

Lokedi has already written quite an illustrious professional career to build off her impressive college resume, highlighted so far by winning the 2022 Boston Marathon. At the 2023 Kansas Relays, it was announced that Lokedi, the 2018 Outdoor Women's 10K National Champion, would be the first woman to receive a silhouette out at Rim Rock Farm. 

The final Jayhawk competing on the women's side is Emilianov, the First Team All-American discus thrower out of Moldova. Emilianov was also a Tokyo Olympian, joining Hoppel in her second-consecutive Olympic games. 

On the hardcourt, Embiid is making his USA Basketball debut at the 2024 Olympics. A native of Yaounde, Cameroon, Embiid became a U.S. citizen in September 2022. The 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player who was No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Embiid played at Kansas in the 2013-14 season.

Embiid is the first Kansas men's basketball player since Sasha Kaun to participate in the Olympic Games. Kaun won a bronze medal while representing Russia in the 2012 Olympics in London. The last KU player to play for the USA National Team was Danny Manning in 1988.

The opening ceremony will kick off Friday, followed by a full slate of events covered by NBC and Peacock. Fans can click on this link to check out the full timeline and how to watch. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592750854035.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PARIS - Nine with Kansas Jayhawks ties will be competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics, which get underway this Friday with the opening ceremony.The Jayhawks will be represented across multiple sports with Michael Joseph, Yoveinny Mota, Sharon Lokedi, Bryce Hoppel, Hussain Al Hizam and Alexandra Emilianov all joining Head Coach Stanley Redwine and Event Manager Tim Weaver on the track and field side, while Joel Embiid will be competing on Team USA for men's basketball. Joseph, the lone current student athlete in this year's Olympics, was chosen to be the flag bearer for his home country of Saint Lucia in Friday's opening ceremony. The standout sprinter for the Jayhawks qualified for his first-career Olympic games at the 2023 Outdoor Big 12 Championships in Norman, Oklahoma. Joseph ran a new career-best of 44.77 in the men's 400m, which was good for a new school and national record as well. Redwine, his event coach, won't be on the same side as Joseph in the Olympics and will be serving his country as the Head Coach of Team USA for men's track and field. He will be joined by former Jayhawk Weaver, who was named Team USA's Event Manager."I'm excited to serve our nation by working with our athletes and gaining knowledge that will make me a better coach at KU," said Redwine. "I pray that USA will get more medals than we ever have before."Hoppel will also be repping the red, white and blue in the men's 800m, having most recently come off a gold medal at the 2024 US Olympic Trials in Eugene to qualify. The Midland, Texas native, ran a 1:42.77 in the men's 800m final, which set a new US Olympic Trials event record. Current Jayhawk Distance Coach Michael Whittlesey coached Hoppel while he was running at Kansas and continues to coach the now-professional adidas runner. He too will be joining Hoppel and Redwine in Paris for the event. Al Hizam rounds out on the men's side, qualifying to represent Saudi Arabia in the men's pole vault based on his current world ranking in the event. During his time at Kansas, Al Hizam was the 2018 Indoor Pole Vault NCAA National Champion, as well as also claiming third place medals at NCAA's on two separate occasions. On the women's side, Mota is set to compete in the 100m hurdles for Venezuela. The graduate senior transferred from Arkansas in November 2023, joining the Jayhawks for her final year of eligibility. Mota is the current 100m hurdles school record holder with a time of 12.66, which she ran at NCAA West Prelims, the meet at which she qualified for the Paris games. Lokedi will be running the women's marathon in her first Olympic games, representing her home country of Kenya. Lokedi has already written quite an illustrious professional career to build off her impressive college resume, highlighted so far by winning the 2022 Boston Marathon. At the 2023 Kansas Relays, it was announced that Lokedi, the 2018 Outdoor Women's 10K National Champion, would be the first woman to receive a silhouette out at Rim Rock Farm. The final Jayhawk competing on the women's side is Emilianov, the First Team All-American discus thrower out of Moldova. Emilianov was also a Tokyo Olympian, joining Hoppel in her second-consecutive Olympic games. On the hardcourt, Embiid is making his USA Basketball debut at the 2024 Olympics. A native of Yaounde, Cameroon, Embiid became a U.S. citizen in September 2022. The 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player who was No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Embiid played at Kansas in the 2013-14 season.Embiid is the first Kansas men's basketball player since Sasha Kaun to participate in the Olympic Games. Kaun won a bronze medal while representing Russia in the 2012 Olympics in London. The last KU player to play for the USA National Team was Danny Manning in 1988.The opening ceremony will kick off Friday, followed by a full slate of events covered by NBC and Peacock. Fans can click on this link to check out the full timeline and how to watch.

Nine Jayhawks Begin Olympic Journey in Paris 

The Big 12 Conference announced the 2023-24 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team on Wednesday, with 758 student-athletes earning the honor. Kansas had 70 student-athletes recognized to the team.

Of the Jayhawks' 70 honorees, 14 earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA) for the 2023-24 academic year. Student-athletes to earn a 4.0 GPA include Lauren Pham (Women's Golf), Raegan Burns (Volleyball), Andrew Kirby (Men's Track and Field), Reese Hulcher (Women's Track and Field), Taylor Mayo (Women's Track and Field), Mason Meinershagen (Women's Track and Field), Caroline Castans (Soccer), Siera Herbert (Soccer) Gracyn O'Mara (Swim and Dive), Kathryn Borthwick (Rowing), Logan Foster (Rowing), Alex Harswick (Rowing), Leah Petrie (Rowing) and Kyoka Kubo (Women's Tennis).&nbsp;

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services, student-athletes on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team must be new, first-time/incoming freshmen that have completed 24 semester hours of non-remedial coursework and achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.&nbsp;

Additionally, the student-athlete must have participated in at least one of their team's scheduled contests and must have been a member of their respective team for their sport's entire NCAA Championship segment.&nbsp;

The Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team was introduced in the 2012-13 academic year.&nbsp;

The Kansas Women's Track and Field Team led the way for the Jayhawks with 14 honorees, followed by rowing with 12 and men's track and field and women's swimming and diving with eight apiece. KU Football had six players on the list, soccer had four, volleyball, softball and women's basketball each had three, women's golf, men's golf, men's basketball and baseball had two apiece and women's tennis earned one.&nbsp;

Below is a full list of Kansas student-athletes listed on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.

Jacob Cookinham			Men's Track &amp; Field

Avery Armstrong			Women's Track &amp; Field

Pearl Awanya				Women's Track &amp; Field

Madeline Carter			Women's Track &amp; Field

Bethany Druse			Women's Track &amp; Field

Laya Erickson				Women's Track &amp; Field

Claire Farrell				Women's Track &amp; Field

Reese Hulcher*			Women's Track &amp; Field

Taylor Mayo*				Women's Track &amp; Field

Mason Meinershagen*		Women's Track &amp; Field

Sidney Smith				Women's Track &amp; Field

Katherine Toney			Women's Track &amp; Field

Abree Winfrey			Women's Track &amp; Field

Lauren Collins			Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Ryan Johnston			Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Halle McCullough			Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Logan Morris				Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Abigail&nbsp;Naden				Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Gracyn O'Mara*			Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Mia Waldron				Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Bradie Ward				Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592750854035.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KUThe Big 12 Conference announced the 2023-24 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team on Wednesday, with 758 student-athletes earning the honor. Kansas had 70 student-athletes recognized to the team.Of the Jayhawks' 70 honorees, 14 earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA) for the 2023-24 academic year. Student-athletes to earn a 4.0 GPA include Lauren Pham (Women's Golf), Raegan Burns (Volleyball), Andrew Kirby (Men's Track and Field), Reese Hulcher (Women's Track and Field), Taylor Mayo (Women's Track and Field), Mason Meinershagen (Women's Track and Field), Caroline Castans (Soccer), Siera Herbert (Soccer) Gracyn O'Mara (Swim and Dive), Kathryn Borthwick (Rowing), Logan Foster (Rowing), Alex Harswick (Rowing), Leah Petrie (Rowing) and Kyoka Kubo (Women's Tennis).&nbsp;Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services, student-athletes on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team must be new, first-time/incoming freshmen that have completed 24 semester hours of non-remedial coursework and achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.&nbsp;Additionally, the student-athlete must have participated in at least one of their team's scheduled contests and must have been a member of their respective team for their sport's entire NCAA Championship segment.&nbsp;The Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team was introduced in the 2012-13 academic year.&nbsp;The Kansas Women's Track and Field Team led the way for the Jayhawks with 14 honorees, followed by rowing with 12 and men's track and field and women's swimming and diving with eight apiece. KU Football had six players on the list, soccer had four, volleyball, softball and women's basketball each had three, women's golf, men's golf, men's basketball and baseball had two apiece and women's tennis earned one.&nbsp;Below is a full list of Kansas student-athletes listed on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team. Name						SportLyla Louderbaugh			Women's GolfLauren Pham*			Women's GolfNoah Holtzman			Men's GolfMax Jelinek				Men's GolfAisha Aiono				VolleyballRaegan Burns*			VolleyballEllie Schneider			VolleyballJohnny Furphy			Men's BasketballJamari McDowell			Men's BasketballCole Ballard				FootballLogan Brantley			FootballCalvin Clements			FootballJacoby Davis				FootballDamon Greaves			FootballKeaton Kubecka			FootballHobbs Campbell			Men's Track &amp; FieldJacob Cookinham			Men's Track &amp; FieldConor Dunback			Men's Track &amp; FieldRyo Higuchi				Men's Track &amp; FieldAndrew Kirby*			Men's Track &amp; FieldJosiah Parris				Men's Track &amp; FieldTy Smedes				Men's Track &amp; FieldJack Weber				Men's Track &amp; FieldAvery Armstrong			Women's Track &amp; FieldPearl Awanya				Women's Track &amp; FieldMadeline Carter			Women's Track &amp; FieldBethany Druse			Women's Track &amp; FieldLaya Erickson				Women's Track &amp; FieldClaire Farrell				Women's Track &amp; FieldReese Hulcher*			Women's Track &amp; FieldTaylor Mayo*				Women's Track &amp; FieldMason Meinershagen*		Women's Track &amp; FieldAudrey Meyer			Women's Track &amp; FieldSidney Smith				Women's Track &amp; FieldAbi Street				Women's Track &amp; FieldKatherine Toney			Women's Track &amp; FieldAbree Winfrey			Women's Track &amp; FieldSeptember Flanagan		SoftballAnna Soles				SoftballKadence Stafford			SoftballParis Gaines				Women's BasketballS'Mya Nichols			Women's BasketballMcKenzie Smith			Women's BasketballDominic Voegele			BaseballTy Wisdom				BaseballCaroline Castans*			SoccerSiera Herbert*			SoccerJocelyn Herrema			SoccerOlivia Page				SoccerLauren Collins			Women's Swimming &amp; DivingRyan Johnston			Women's Swimming &amp; DivingHalle McCullough			Women's Swimming &amp; DivingLogan Morris				Women's Swimming &amp; DivingAbigail&nbsp;Naden				Women's Swimming &amp; DivingGracyn O'Mara*			Women's Swimming &amp; DivingMia Waldron				Women's Swimming &amp; DivingBradie Ward				Women's Swimming &amp; DivingKathryn Borthwick*		RowingKayley Chism				RowingCece Cohen				RowingSofia D'Ascenzo			RowingLogan Foster*			RowingElla Haasch				RowingAlex Harswick*			RowingGrace Morenz			RowingSophie Pense				RowingLeah Petrie*				RowingKaitlyn Reeves			RowingGracie Shepherd			RowingKyoka Kubo*				Women's Tennis*4.0 GPA

70 Kansas Student-Athletes Placed on Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead in the ninth inning with a two-run double, Ketel Marte added a three-run homer and the Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6 on Wednesday night.

“We never shut down. It was a character win. I think the guys dug as deep as they could,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was a tough environment against a good team. We just got one guy on and kept the line moving.”

Eugenio Saurez homered for Arizona in the second and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/pederson-and-walker-hit-back-to-back-home-runs-in-4th">Joc Pederson and Christian Walker hit back-to-back shots in the fourth</a>&nbsp;to make it 3-1. Pederson has 200 career homers.

With Arizona down 4-3 in the ninth against closer James McArthur (4-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled with one out, Geraldo Perdomo walked and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/gabriel-moreno-doubles-16-on-a-line-drive-to-center-fielder-kyle-isbel-lo">Moreno slashed the double</a>&nbsp;that rolled to the wall in the right-center gap

“I was really looking for a pitch that I wouldn’t hit into a double play. I was able to stay within myself and go to my side, which is right center,” Moreno said through a translator.

After Corbin Carroll followed Moreno with a single,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/ketel-marte-homers-22-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-gabriel-moreno-scores">Marte blasted the three-run homer</a>&nbsp;to center.

“That was a super frustrating inning,” MacArthur said. “I felt like I was pretty close at times of getting out of it and just didn’t make the pitch I needed to.”

Marte homered in all three games in the series.

“He’s a beast, I don’t know what else to say,” Lovullo said about Marte, Arizona's line All-Star this season. “He doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen him do it over and over again. He wants to be in the middle of everything, that’s his personality, and it was a big knock for him.”

Joe Mantiply (4-2) pitched the eighth for the victory and Paul Sewald closed it out after allowing Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run single in the ninth.

The Royals took the lead with a three-run fourth. Michael Massey doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s fielder’s choice. Kyle Isbel followed with a triple to tie it and scored on Ryne Nelson’s wild pitch.

“We left some guys on early, so to fight back and get the lead was big for us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "But you’ve got to give those guys credit for executing and getting balls in play.”

Bobby Witt Jr. went 3 for 4 for Kansas City to raise his average to .344.

Diamondbacks: Arizona returns home to face Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Diamondbacks hadn’t announced a starter.

Royals: RHP Brady Singer (6-6, 3.00 ERA) was set to start Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721900198494.jpeg" alt="Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte celebrates hitting a three-run home during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte celebrates hitting a three-run home during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead in the ninth inning with a two-run double, Ketel Marte added a three-run homer and the Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6 on Wednesday night.“We never shut down. It was a character win. I think the guys dug as deep as they could,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was a tough environment against a good team. We just got one guy on and kept the line moving.”Eugenio Saurez homered for Arizona in the second and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/pederson-and-walker-hit-back-to-back-home-runs-in-4th">Joc Pederson and Christian Walker hit back-to-back shots in the fourth</a>&nbsp;to make it 3-1. Pederson has 200 career homers.With Arizona down 4-3 in the ninth against closer James McArthur (4-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled with one out, Geraldo Perdomo walked and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/gabriel-moreno-doubles-16-on-a-line-drive-to-center-fielder-kyle-isbel-lo">Moreno slashed the double</a>&nbsp;that rolled to the wall in the right-center gap“I was really looking for a pitch that I wouldn’t hit into a double play. I was able to stay within myself and go to my side, which is right center,” Moreno said through a translator.After Corbin Carroll followed Moreno with a single,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/ketel-marte-homers-22-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-gabriel-moreno-scores">Marte blasted the three-run homer</a>&nbsp;to center.“That was a super frustrating inning,” MacArthur said. “I felt like I was pretty close at times of getting out of it and just didn’t make the pitch I needed to.”Marte homered in all three games in the series.“He’s a beast, I don’t know what else to say,” Lovullo said about Marte, Arizona's line All-Star this season. “He doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen him do it over and over again. He wants to be in the middle of everything, that’s his personality, and it was a big knock for him.”Joe Mantiply (4-2) pitched the eighth for the victory and Paul Sewald closed it out after allowing Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run single in the ninth.The Royals took the lead with a three-run fourth. Michael Massey doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s fielder’s choice. Kyle Isbel followed with a triple to tie it and scored on Ryne Nelson’s wild pitch.“We left some guys on early, so to fight back and get the lead was big for us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "But you’ve got to give those guys credit for executing and getting balls in play.”Bobby Witt Jr. went 3 for 4 for Kansas City to raise his average to .344.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: Arizona returns home to face Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Diamondbacks hadn’t announced a starter.Royals: RHP Brady Singer (6-6, 3.00 ERA) was set to start Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs.

⚾ 5-run 9th inning lifts Diamondbacks over the Royals 

Q:&nbsp;What is it about Patrick Mahomes&nbsp;that you see that somehow makes him get hungrier&nbsp;the more he achieves?

NAGY:&nbsp;“Yeah, you always see it with&nbsp;Pat (Mahomes). He’s just in a –&nbsp;that’s just who he is, number one, so it starts out that&nbsp;way, but&nbsp;I think he looks at it like every year is a challenge. There’s always some type of&nbsp;edge that we&nbsp;(create)&nbsp;and he&nbsp;creates, and I think internally for him,&nbsp;the biggest thing now is being able to be more efficient,&nbsp;probably,&nbsp;as a unit on offense. Last year, we talked about what we went through. As a team, we&nbsp;win the Super Bowl, and I think being able to get through some of the challenges we went through and still win it&nbsp;creates (a) fire and burn for this year to be better on offense and help the team out in general.”

Q:&nbsp;How&nbsp;is&nbsp;Xavier Worthy going to be able to&nbsp;open up&nbsp;the offense this year?&nbsp;

NAGY:&nbsp;“You’re right with Xavier (Worthy). Being able to get him out here when we can will be beautiful&nbsp;–rep-wise (and) timing-wise, and the one day that he was out here, I think it was exciting to see&nbsp;and feel the speed but also the tracking of the football on some of those downfield throws. The timing element of staying on time with&nbsp;press (coverage) that we’re getting –&nbsp;our&nbsp;guys on&nbsp;defense press a lot.&nbsp;Just those guys understand the angles at (the) top of routes, and I would say the biggest thing is tracking (the football in the air). For the one time that we&nbsp;were together for that day, it was really great to&nbsp;see,&nbsp;and I think that was why we all got so excited, especially with Xavier.”

Q:&nbsp;Are there any plans to use Kadarius Toney&nbsp;more at&nbsp;running back&nbsp;than you did in the past?&nbsp;

NAGY:&nbsp;“The biggest thing right now with KT (Kadarius Toney)&nbsp;is just us being able to use his strengths. He’s super talented. He can do a lot of things. Right&nbsp;now&nbsp;is probably the time to experiment&nbsp;and use these reps that we get, so yeah, we’ll do some more with him at running back. We did some last year with him, and I think he’s a weapon when you use him that way and being able to bounce him around in different spots&nbsp;and so far, so good.”

Q: Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy really complimented you on your mental acuity - playbook wise, how has that process been for you and how have you been able to pick it up&nbsp;really quick?

BROWN:&nbsp;“I mean - it’s my job. Really just come in and show the guys that if I can come in and I can be on top of things, and I just got here - it pushes everyone else to be better and it raises the competition in the room.”

Q: How do you feel about the wide receiver core that you guys have and the potential that you see right now?

BROWN:&nbsp;“I’m excited. You know,&nbsp;God willing we all stay healthy, and we just keep building, keep pushing each other. I think the sky’s the limit to what we could do.”

Q:&nbsp;Do you feel like there’s more of an emphasis on getting the ball down the field here more than it was with the Arizona Cardinals the last couple of years or with the Baltimore Ravens before that for you? &nbsp;

BROWN:&nbsp;“Oh yeah definitely. We got the guys to do it,&nbsp;Coach is putting us in (a) great position to do it, and you know Pat (Mahomes) puts&nbsp;it on the money every time, so we’ve been lighting it up and it’s been fun.”

Q:&nbsp;How has it been going up against&nbsp;the&nbsp;new receivers&nbsp;HollywoodBrown and Xavier&nbsp;Worthy?&nbsp;

WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“Even last year I thought we had some good guys in there, bringing us good competition, good work,&nbsp;making us better, but especially this year with the addition of Hollywood&nbsp;(Brown), we got&nbsp;X (Xavier Worthy)&nbsp;out there. Even&nbsp;a lot of the other&nbsp;guys,&nbsp;Skyy&nbsp;(Moore)&nbsp;out there working,&nbsp;(Justyn)&nbsp;J&nbsp;Ross,&nbsp;all of&nbsp;these guys,&nbsp;Rashee&nbsp;(Rice),&nbsp;they're&nbsp;always giving us work,&nbsp;helping the defense get better and making us all better as a whole,&nbsp;as a&nbsp;unit.”

Q:&nbsp;Do you&nbsp;see yourself stepping into a leadership role now that&nbsp;Titans CB&nbsp;L’Jarius&nbsp;Sneed&nbsp;is gone?&nbsp;

WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“I would love to be that. LJ&nbsp;(Titans CB&nbsp;L’Jarius&nbsp;Sneed)&nbsp;was a great player. He was&nbsp;an&nbsp;all-pro&nbsp;level&nbsp;player,&nbsp;and I&nbsp;definitely tooknotes from him. Leadership styles,&nbsp;play styles&nbsp;–&nbsp;all of&nbsp;those types of things.&nbsp;That’s&nbsp;something I&nbsp;tried to take notes&nbsp;on&nbsp;and&nbsp;little&nbsp;tidbits&nbsp;(to)add to my game.&nbsp;Every day I’m working to become the best me I can be,&nbsp;but I’m&nbsp;definitely taking&nbsp;tips from how Sneed approached it.”

Q:&nbsp;What makes&nbsp;Defensive Backs Coach&nbsp;Dave Merritt&nbsp;so special and&nbsp;such a successful&nbsp;coach?

WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“Right.&nbsp;Just&nbsp;the type of&nbsp;people he has been around. He is very,&nbsp;very demanding of&nbsp;people,&nbsp;but&nbsp;he&nbsp;also&nbsp;gives&nbsp;you that level of,‘okay I&nbsp;understand&nbsp;you messed up&nbsp;let's work on it,&nbsp;and&nbsp;let’s&nbsp;help you get better on this area.’&nbsp;Holding&nbsp;every player to a&nbsp;high standard&nbsp;and&nbsp;being able to&nbsp;coach every single different type of player&nbsp;I think is what makes him able to coach at the level he does.&nbsp;You see&nbsp;that with&nbsp;the people he has put out and&nbsp;will continue to put out.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719308655175.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>July&nbsp;24,&nbsp;2024Q:&nbsp;What is it about Patrick Mahomes&nbsp;that you see that somehow makes him get hungrier&nbsp;the more he achieves?NAGY:&nbsp;“Yeah, you always see it with&nbsp;Pat (Mahomes). He’s just in a –&nbsp;that’s just who he is, number one, so it starts out that&nbsp;way, but&nbsp;I think he looks at it like every year is a challenge. There’s always some type of&nbsp;edge that we&nbsp;(create)&nbsp;and he&nbsp;creates, and I think internally for him,&nbsp;the biggest thing now is being able to be more efficient,&nbsp;probably,&nbsp;as a unit on offense. Last year, we talked about what we went through. As a team, we&nbsp;win the Super Bowl, and I think being able to get through some of the challenges we went through and still win it&nbsp;creates (a) fire and burn for this year to be better on offense and help the team out in general.”Q:&nbsp;How&nbsp;is&nbsp;Xavier Worthy going to be able to&nbsp;open up&nbsp;the offense this year?&nbsp;NAGY:&nbsp;“You’re right with Xavier (Worthy). Being able to get him out here when we can will be beautiful&nbsp;–rep-wise (and) timing-wise, and the one day that he was out here, I think it was exciting to see&nbsp;and feel the speed but also the tracking of the football on some of those downfield throws. The timing element of staying on time with&nbsp;press (coverage) that we’re getting –&nbsp;our&nbsp;guys on&nbsp;defense press a lot.&nbsp;Just those guys understand the angles at (the) top of routes, and I would say the biggest thing is tracking (the football in the air). For the one time that we&nbsp;were together for that day, it was really great to&nbsp;see,&nbsp;and I think that was why we all got so excited, especially with Xavier.”Q:&nbsp;Are there any plans to use Kadarius Toney&nbsp;more at&nbsp;running back&nbsp;than you did in the past?&nbsp;NAGY:&nbsp;“The biggest thing right now with KT (Kadarius Toney)&nbsp;is just us being able to use his strengths. He’s super talented. He can do a lot of things. Right&nbsp;now&nbsp;is probably the time to experiment&nbsp;and use these reps that we get, so yeah, we’ll do some more with him at running back. We did some last year with him, and I think he’s a weapon when you use him that way and being able to bounce him around in different spots&nbsp;and so far, so good.”Chiefs&nbsp;Player&nbsp;QuotesJuly&nbsp;24,&nbsp;2024WR&nbsp;<a></a>HOLLYWOOD BROWN&nbsp;Q: Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy really complimented you on your mental acuity - playbook wise, how has that process been for you and how have you been able to pick it up&nbsp;really quick?BROWN:&nbsp;“I mean - it’s my job. Really just come in and show the guys that if I can come in and I can be on top of things, and I just got here - it pushes everyone else to be better and it raises the competition in the room.”Q: How do you feel about the wide receiver core that you guys have and the potential that you see right now?BROWN:&nbsp;“I’m excited. You know,&nbsp;God willing we all stay healthy, and we just keep building, keep pushing each other. I think the sky’s the limit to what we could do.”Q:&nbsp;Do you feel like there’s more of an emphasis on getting the ball down the field here more than it was with the Arizona Cardinals the last couple of years or with the Baltimore Ravens before that for you? &nbsp;BROWN:&nbsp;“Oh yeah definitely. We got the guys to do it,&nbsp;Coach is putting us in (a) great position to do it, and you know Pat (Mahomes) puts&nbsp;it on the money every time, so we’ve been lighting it up and it’s been fun.”CB JOSHUA WILLIAMSQ:&nbsp;How has it been going up against&nbsp;the&nbsp;new receivers&nbsp;HollywoodBrown and Xavier&nbsp;Worthy?&nbsp;WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“Even last year I thought we had some good guys in there, bringing us good competition, good work,&nbsp;making us better, but especially this year with the addition of Hollywood&nbsp;(Brown), we got&nbsp;X (Xavier Worthy)&nbsp;out there. Even&nbsp;a lot of the other&nbsp;guys,&nbsp;Skyy&nbsp;(Moore)&nbsp;out there working,&nbsp;(Justyn)&nbsp;J&nbsp;Ross,&nbsp;all of&nbsp;these guys,&nbsp;Rashee&nbsp;(Rice),&nbsp;they're&nbsp;always giving us work,&nbsp;helping the defense get better and making us all better as a whole,&nbsp;as a&nbsp;unit.”Q:&nbsp;Do you&nbsp;see yourself stepping into a leadership role now that&nbsp;Titans CB&nbsp;L’Jarius&nbsp;Sneed&nbsp;is gone?&nbsp;WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“I would love to be that. LJ&nbsp;(Titans CB&nbsp;L’Jarius&nbsp;Sneed)&nbsp;was a great player. He was&nbsp;an&nbsp;all-pro&nbsp;level&nbsp;player,&nbsp;and I&nbsp;definitely tooknotes from him. Leadership styles,&nbsp;play styles&nbsp;–&nbsp;all of&nbsp;those types of things.&nbsp;That’s&nbsp;something I&nbsp;tried to take notes&nbsp;on&nbsp;and&nbsp;little&nbsp;tidbits&nbsp;(to)add to my game.&nbsp;Every day I’m working to become the best me I can be,&nbsp;but I’m&nbsp;definitely taking&nbsp;tips from how Sneed approached it.”Q:&nbsp;What makes&nbsp;Defensive Backs Coach&nbsp;Dave Merritt&nbsp;so special and&nbsp;such a successful&nbsp;coach?WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“Right.&nbsp;Just&nbsp;the type of&nbsp;people he has been around. He is very,&nbsp;very demanding of&nbsp;people,&nbsp;but&nbsp;he&nbsp;also&nbsp;gives&nbsp;you that level of,‘okay I&nbsp;understand&nbsp;you messed up&nbsp;let's work on it,&nbsp;and&nbsp;let’s&nbsp;help you get better on this area.’&nbsp;Holding&nbsp;every player to a&nbsp;high standard&nbsp;and&nbsp;being able to&nbsp;coach every single different type of player&nbsp;I think is what makes him able to coach at the level he does.&nbsp;You see&nbsp;that with&nbsp;the people he has put out and&nbsp;will continue to put out.”

Chiefs Quotes July 24

MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;K-State women’s basketball was successful in the classroom as well as the court during the 2023-24 season, as the Wildcats received Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Honor Roll Special Mention for its team grade point average last season. K-State was one of nine Big 12 programs to be included on the WBCA Academic Honor Roll.

Under the direction of head coach Jeff Mittie, K-State women’s basketball completed the 2023-24 academic year with a team grade point average of 3.281. This was the third straight season K-State received Special Mention honors for the WBCA Academic Honor Roll.&nbsp;

During the 2023-24 season, K-State received a Big 12-high eight Academic All-Big 12 honors, two College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District citations and one CSC Academic All-American First Team member (Ayoka Lee).

In Mittie’s 10 seasons at K-State, the Wildcats have collected 59 Academic All-Big 12 citations, five Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipients, 12 Big 12 Academic All-Rookie Team honorees, 12 CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-District honorees, five CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and one Senior CLASS Award finalist.

The Wildcats enter the 2024-25 season with the return of 10 letter winners, including four starters from last season’s 2024 NCAA Tournament squad. The Wildcats will be led by 2024 All-American center Ayoka Lee, who returns for her final season, senior guard and 2023 All-Big 12 First Team selection Sundell, and the senior duo of Brylee Glenn and Jaelyn Glenn.

The 10 returning letter winners were responsible for 85 percent of K-State’s scoring, 87 percent of the team’s rebounds and 81 percent of the team’s rebounding in the 2023-24 season. The Wildcats will also welcome transfers Temira Poindexter and Kennedy Taylor and redshirts Mikayla Parks and Alexis Hess and freshman Finley Ohnstad.

K-State women’s basketball season tickets are available now. Prices start at just $75 with a Wildcat 4-Pack to see every game in Bramlage, including matchups against conference opponents KU, Iowa State, Baylor, and TCU. Order now by visiting&nbsp;kstatesports.com/tickets&nbsp;or calling&nbsp;1-800-221-CATS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721835710861.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;K-State women’s basketball was successful in the classroom as well as the court during the 2023-24 season, as the Wildcats received Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Honor Roll Special Mention for its team grade point average last season. K-State was one of nine Big 12 programs to be included on the WBCA Academic Honor Roll.Under the direction of head coach Jeff Mittie, K-State women’s basketball completed the 2023-24 academic year with a team grade point average of 3.281. This was the third straight season K-State received Special Mention honors for the WBCA Academic Honor Roll.&nbsp;During the 2023-24 season, K-State received a Big 12-high eight Academic All-Big 12 honors, two College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District citations and one CSC Academic All-American First Team member (Ayoka Lee).In Mittie’s 10 seasons at K-State, the Wildcats have collected 59 Academic All-Big 12 citations, five Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipients, 12 Big 12 Academic All-Rookie Team honorees, 12 CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-District honorees, five CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and one Senior CLASS Award finalist.The Wildcats enter the 2024-25 season with the return of 10 letter winners, including four starters from last season’s 2024 NCAA Tournament squad. The Wildcats will be led by 2024 All-American center Ayoka Lee, who returns for her final season, senior guard and 2023 All-Big 12 First Team selection Sundell, and the senior duo of Brylee Glenn and Jaelyn Glenn.The 10 returning letter winners were responsible for 85 percent of K-State’s scoring, 87 percent of the team’s rebounds and 81 percent of the team’s rebounding in the 2023-24 season. The Wildcats will also welcome transfers Temira Poindexter and Kennedy Taylor and redshirts Mikayla Parks and Alexis Hess and freshman Finley Ohnstad.K-State women’s basketball season tickets are available now. Prices start at just $75 with a Wildcat 4-Pack to see every game in Bramlage, including matchups against conference opponents KU, Iowa State, Baylor, and TCU. Order now by visiting&nbsp;kstatesports.com/tickets&nbsp;or calling&nbsp;1-800-221-CATS.

K-State WBB Receives Special Mention on WBCA Academic Honor Roll

PARIS (AP) — What was expected to be a simple coronation of Salt Lake City as the 2034 Winter Olympic host turned into complicated Olympic politics Wednesday, as the IOC pushed Utah officials to end an FBI investigation into a suspected doping coverup.

The International Olympic Committee is angry about an ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-doping-swimming-paris-olympics-world-aquatics-d55b6c2853e2d7a79cefa68afe51f9bf">U.S. federal investigation of suspected doping</a>&nbsp;by Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games despite positive drug tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted Chinese explanations for the tests, and U.S. officials are now investigating that decision under an anti-conspiracy law passed after the Russian doping scandal at the Sochi Winter Games.

President Thomas Bach wants to make sure WADA is the sole authority on Olympic doping cases, especially with the Sumer Olympics headed to Los Angeles in 2028. The IOC added a clause to Salt Lake's host contract, demanding that local organizers - including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox - push to shut down the federal investigation or risk losing the Olympics.

Cox and others promised to lobby the U.S. president and Congress.

“We agree that if the United States does not support or violates the World Anti-Doping Federation’s rules, that they can withdraw the Games from from us and from the United States, “ Cox said after the announcement. "That was the only way that that we could we could guarantee that we would get the Games.”

Even in the world Olympic diplomacy, it was a stunning power move to force government officials to publicly agree to do the IOC's lobbying.

After getting the Utah contingent's agreement on the clause, the IOC formally awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake in an 83-6 vote.

The capital city of Utah was the only candidate after the IOC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-winter-salt-lake-2030-2034-ioc-e7da1e36b747395f2417b5e8c1d33088">gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year</a>&nbsp;in a fast-tracked process.

The campaign team presenting the bid on stage to IOC members included Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Alpine ski great Lindsey Vonn.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/park-city-utah-olympic-games-paris-winter-olympic-games-48e38677d8f54c8282b947209507e40e">Back home</a>, a 3 a.m. public watch party gathered to see the broadcast from Paris.

The clause inserted into the contract requires Utah officials to to work with current and future U.S. presidents and members of Congress “to alleviate your concerns” about the federal investigation into doping.

The IOC clause allows the Olympic body to terminate Salt Lake City’s deal if the authority of WADA was undermined on U.S. territory.

WADA's role is under scrutiny for accepting a Chinese investigation that declared all 23 swimmers were contaminated by traces of a banned heart medication in a hotel kitchen. Three Chinese gold medals in the Tokyo Olympic pool were won by swimmers implicated in the case. Some are also competing in Paris next week.

The case an be investigated in the U.S. under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/house-passes-bill-to-make-doping-conspiracies-a-crime-f0036fb6df2a436591a95f644d75a7f2">federal legislation</a>&nbsp;named for a whistleblower of Russian state doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

The IOC and WADA lobbied against passing the law, known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doping-rodchenkov-okagbare-guilty-plea-0fb36146dd202aa869325466a59db676">the Rodchenkov Act</a>, which gives U.S. federal agencies wide jurisdiction of doping enforcement worldwide ahead of Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Games.

“We will work with our members of Congress," Gov. Cox told Bach and IOC voters ahead of the 2034 vote, "we will use all the levers of power open to us to resolve these concerns.”

Salt Lake City first hosted the Winter Games in 2002. That bid was hit with a bribery scandal, which led to anti-corruption reforms at the IOC.

Future U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney was brought in to clean up the Games, which went off well despite tightened security. The Games were the biggest international sports event hosted by the U.S. following the Sept. 11 attacks five months earlier.

“I am sorry for you, and for us, that this issue arose now,” Bach said, addressing the Salt Lake City delegation ahead of the vote.

It is an Olympic tradition for lawmakers and even heads of state to come to an IOC meeting and plead their case to be anointed as an host city.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did it in 2007, speaking in English to secure the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi. British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a key intervention in 2005 to help win the 2012 Olympics for London. U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Copenhagen in 2009 did not help in Chicago's losing cause for the 2016 Summer Games that went to Rio de Janeiro.

For its second turn, Salt Lake City will get almost 10 full years to prepare — the longest lead-in for a modern Winter Games — amid longer-term concerns about climate change affecting snow sports and reducing the pool of potential hosts.

Salt Lake City opted to target 2034 and so avoided potential commercial and logistical clashes with the 2028 Summer Games being hosted by Los Angeles.

It will be the fifth Winter Games in the U.S. Before Salt Lake City in 2002, there was Lake Placid in 1980 and 1932, and Squaw Valley — now known as Olympic Valley — in 1960.

In a separate decision earlier in Paris, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-2030-france-alps-nice-ioc-e14c106194e303b5a2ffa968740650b0">2030 Winter Games was awarded</a>&nbsp;— with conditions — to France for a regional project split between ski resorts in the Alps and the French Riviera city Nice.

That project needs official signoff from the national government being formed, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-prime-minister-resign-government-macron-c3a908360a18641ff5879ced259f7726">the Prime Minister yet to be confirmed</a>, after recent elections called by President Emmanuel Macron. He helped present the 2030 bid Wednesday to IOC members.

PARIS (AP) — What was expected to be a simple coronation of Salt Lake City as the 2034 Winter Olympic host turned into complicated Olympic politics Wednesday, as the IOC pushed Utah officials to end an FBI investigation into a suspected doping coverup.The International Olympic Committee is angry about an ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-doping-swimming-paris-olympics-world-aquatics-d55b6c2853e2d7a79cefa68afe51f9bf">U.S. federal investigation of suspected doping</a>&nbsp;by Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games despite positive drug tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted Chinese explanations for the tests, and U.S. officials are now investigating that decision under an anti-conspiracy law passed after the Russian doping scandal at the Sochi Winter Games.President Thomas Bach wants to make sure WADA is the sole authority on Olympic doping cases, especially with the Sumer Olympics headed to Los Angeles in 2028. The IOC added a clause to Salt Lake's host contract, demanding that local organizers - including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox - push to shut down the federal investigation or risk losing the Olympics.Cox and others promised to lobby the U.S. president and Congress.“We agree that if the United States does not support or violates the World Anti-Doping Federation’s rules, that they can withdraw the Games from from us and from the United States, “ Cox said after the announcement. "That was the only way that that we could we could guarantee that we would get the Games.”Even in the world Olympic diplomacy, it was a stunning power move to force government officials to publicly agree to do the IOC's lobbying.After getting the Utah contingent's agreement on the clause, the IOC formally awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake in an 83-6 vote.The capital city of Utah was the only candidate after the IOC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-winter-salt-lake-2030-2034-ioc-e7da1e36b747395f2417b5e8c1d33088">gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year</a>&nbsp;in a fast-tracked process.The campaign team presenting the bid on stage to IOC members included Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Alpine ski great Lindsey Vonn.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/park-city-utah-olympic-games-paris-winter-olympic-games-48e38677d8f54c8282b947209507e40e">Back home</a>, a 3 a.m. public watch party gathered to see the broadcast from Paris.The clause inserted into the contract requires Utah officials to to work with current and future U.S. presidents and members of Congress “to alleviate your concerns” about the federal investigation into doping.The IOC clause allows the Olympic body to terminate Salt Lake City’s deal if the authority of WADA was undermined on U.S. territory.WADA's role is under scrutiny for accepting a Chinese investigation that declared all 23 swimmers were contaminated by traces of a banned heart medication in a hotel kitchen. Three Chinese gold medals in the Tokyo Olympic pool were won by swimmers implicated in the case. Some are also competing in Paris next week.The case an be investigated in the U.S. under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/house-passes-bill-to-make-doping-conspiracies-a-crime-f0036fb6df2a436591a95f644d75a7f2">federal legislation</a>&nbsp;named for a whistleblower of Russian state doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.The IOC and WADA lobbied against passing the law, known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doping-rodchenkov-okagbare-guilty-plea-0fb36146dd202aa869325466a59db676">the Rodchenkov Act</a>, which gives U.S. federal agencies wide jurisdiction of doping enforcement worldwide ahead of Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Games.“We will work with our members of Congress," Gov. Cox told Bach and IOC voters ahead of the 2034 vote, "we will use all the levers of power open to us to resolve these concerns.”Salt Lake City first hosted the Winter Games in 2002. That bid was hit with a bribery scandal, which led to anti-corruption reforms at the IOC.Future U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney was brought in to clean up the Games, which went off well despite tightened security. The Games were the biggest international sports event hosted by the U.S. following the Sept. 11 attacks five months earlier.“I am sorry for you, and for us, that this issue arose now,” Bach said, addressing the Salt Lake City delegation ahead of the vote.It is an Olympic tradition for lawmakers and even heads of state to come to an IOC meeting and plead their case to be anointed as an host city.Russian President Vladimir Putin did it in 2007, speaking in English to secure the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi. British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a key intervention in 2005 to help win the 2012 Olympics for London. U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Copenhagen in 2009 did not help in Chicago's losing cause for the 2016 Summer Games that went to Rio de Janeiro.For its second turn, Salt Lake City will get almost 10 full years to prepare — the longest lead-in for a modern Winter Games — amid longer-term concerns about climate change affecting snow sports and reducing the pool of potential hosts.Salt Lake City opted to target 2034 and so avoided potential commercial and logistical clashes with the 2028 Summer Games being hosted by Los Angeles.It will be the fifth Winter Games in the U.S. Before Salt Lake City in 2002, there was Lake Placid in 1980 and 1932, and Squaw Valley — now known as Olympic Valley — in 1960.In a separate decision earlier in Paris, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-2030-france-alps-nice-ioc-e14c106194e303b5a2ffa968740650b0">2030 Winter Games was awarded</a>&nbsp;— with conditions — to France for a regional project split between ski resorts in the Alps and the French Riviera city Nice.That project needs official signoff from the national government being formed, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-prime-minister-resign-government-macron-c3a908360a18641ff5879ced259f7726">the Prime Minister yet to be confirmed</a>, after recent elections called by President Emmanuel Macron. He helped present the 2030 bid Wednesday to IOC members.

IOC awards 2034 Winter Games to Utah 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Montgomery allowed one run over five innings to win in his return from a layoff of nearly one month caused by a knee injury, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Tuesday night.

Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer and scored three runs.

Montgomery (7-5) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two, throwing 39 of 67 pitches for strikes. The 31-year-old left-hander, signed by the NL champions to a $25 million, one-year contract in March, had been sidelined since June 27 by right knee inflammation. He won for the first time since June 21 at Philadelphia.

“I felt comfortable out there and pain free, and that was nice to be pain free,” Montgomery said. “I think it just messed with my delivery a little bit, where I was yanking everything and I didn’t want to put any pressure on my legs, but I grinded it out and I’m glad to be here now.”

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Montgomery was nearing his pitch count when he finished a 1-2-3 fifth inning.

“His changeup was in play, and that’s a very key pitch for him,” Lovullo said. “The first go-round before he got banged up, it was a pitch he was leaving out over the plate. The pitch was very, very effective and he had a lot of confidence in it.”

Montgomery got four swings and misses on 19 changeups and six foul balls.

“It got me through the game,” Montgomery said. “I was a little wild with everything else. My four-seam and my changeup really got me through, got me some swing and miss when I needed it.”

Bryce Jarvis pitched two shutout innings, and Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel finished as Arizona stopped the Royals’ four-game winning streak. Kansas City had won eight of 10 coming in.

Bobby Witt Jr. went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in the first, ending his streak of four straight three-hit games.

Marte hit a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the fifth against Alec Marsh (7-7), who gave up five runs, five hits and two walks in five innings. Marte followed Geraldo Perdomo’s leadoff double with his 21st home run.

“I was trying to down and away with a changeup and he just jumped it,” Marsh said.

Christian Walker’s sacrifice fly and Gabriel Moreno’s two-out, two-run single built a 3-0 lead in the first.

Witt’s double was his 13th hit in 16 at-bats since the All-Star Game, his sixth for extra bases. Salvador Perez had an RBI single in the ninth.

Arizona optioned right-hander Humberto Castellanos to Triple-A Reno and activated Montgomery.

Kansas City agreed to a minor league contract with the sixth overall draft pick Jac Caglianone, a two-way player from the University of Florida.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721813983299.jpeg" alt="Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws from the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws from the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Montgomery allowed one run over five innings to win in his return from a layoff of nearly one month caused by a knee injury, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Tuesday night.Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer and scored three runs.Montgomery (7-5) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two, throwing 39 of 67 pitches for strikes. The 31-year-old left-hander, signed by the NL champions to a $25 million, one-year contract in March, had been sidelined since June 27 by right knee inflammation. He won for the first time since June 21 at Philadelphia.“I felt comfortable out there and pain free, and that was nice to be pain free,” Montgomery said. “I think it just messed with my delivery a little bit, where I was yanking everything and I didn’t want to put any pressure on my legs, but I grinded it out and I’m glad to be here now.”Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Montgomery was nearing his pitch count when he finished a 1-2-3 fifth inning.“His changeup was in play, and that’s a very key pitch for him,” Lovullo said. “The first go-round before he got banged up, it was a pitch he was leaving out over the plate. The pitch was very, very effective and he had a lot of confidence in it.”Montgomery got four swings and misses on 19 changeups and six foul balls.“It got me through the game,” Montgomery said. “I was a little wild with everything else. My four-seam and my changeup really got me through, got me some swing and miss when I needed it.”Bryce Jarvis pitched two shutout innings, and Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel finished as Arizona stopped the Royals’ four-game winning streak. Kansas City had won eight of 10 coming in.Bobby Witt Jr. went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in the first, ending his streak of four straight three-hit games.Marte hit a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the fifth against Alec Marsh (7-7), who gave up five runs, five hits and two walks in five innings. Marte followed Geraldo Perdomo’s leadoff double with his 21st home run.“I was trying to down and away with a changeup and he just jumped it,” Marsh said.Christian Walker’s sacrifice fly and Gabriel Moreno’s two-out, two-run single built a 3-0 lead in the first.Witt’s double was his 13th hit in 16 at-bats since the All-Star Game, his sixth for extra bases. Salvador Perez had an RBI single in the ninth.Arizona optioned right-hander Humberto Castellanos to Triple-A Reno and activated Montgomery.Kansas City agreed to a minor league contract with the sixth overall draft pick Jac Caglianone, a two-way player from the University of Florida.UP NEXTArizona RHP Ryne Nelson (7-6, 4.78) starts Wednesday night’s series finale against Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.55).___