BMX rider excels overseas
Kennard native Jacob Thiem is continuing his ascent in the world of professional BMX riding.
The 21-year-old Arlington High School graduate was overseas recently, competing in front of large crowds. He earned third in France during May's FISE Montpellier BMX Freestyle Spine Ramp Final before top finishes in Germany at Butcher Jam.
Thiem then traveled to Spain for the Urban World Series competition where he qualified for the finals of his BMX event. In Croatia, though, the extreme sports athlete earned first in the Pannonian Challenge.
From there, the standout traveled to Italy and Belgium, too.
Last year, Thiem made his X Games debut. The now-professional often practiced in Kennard growing up, experimenting and executing tricks off of home and backyard ramps.
Blair player joins Unified soccer team
Midfielder Bailee Fought of Blair was recently announced as a member of the Union Omaha Unified soccer team.
The team, which is the product of a partnership between the Union Omaha professional team and Special Olympics Nebraska, hosted a media day where the players signed their official contracts, according to a press release. They'll play their first game in Wisconsin when Union Omaha faces Forward Madison FC on July 26 and their second on Aug. 31 at Werner Park.
The games, known as the Unified Soccer series, came together this year with Union Omaha, Forward Madison, Special Olympics Nebraska and Special Olympics Wisconsin all taking part.
“The series is the first of its kind within the United Soccer League (USL) and joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to foster social inclusion through sports training and competition,” the release said.
In addition to Fought, the Unified team includes players from South Sioux City, Dakota City, Bellevue, Ashland, Papillion, Bennington and Lincoln.
3-on-3 tournament set for Aug. 20
The annual Midtown Mayhem 3-on-3 Outdoor Basketball Tournament is scheduled for Aug. 20 in Blair.
Play will start at 9 a.m. in the Washington County Bank parking lot at 15th and Lincoln Street. There will be divisions for players in grades 2-8, high school athletes and adults. Each team is guaranteed for three games.
For more information, contact Craig Heuton (craig.heuton@edwardjones.com). Three-on-3 teams can register online at blairyouthsports.org.
Youth teams continue competition
Blair youth sports teams have continued competition into July.
The age 14 and younger Blair Chaos softball team played during the Ringneck Invitational in Sioux Falls, S.D., to start the month, finishing fourth out of 31 teams in their division.
The 10U Blair Cubs baseball team, meanwhile, competed in the Nebraska USSSA State AAA Tournament last weekend.
— Staff reports
