CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A potential conflict between Wyoming state high school basketball championships and junior college basketball regional playoffs in Casper has been resolved for now. Wyoming High School Activities Association commissioner Ron Laird says an agreement has been reached on what to do if the two tournaments are held in Casper on the same weekend. That happened this year during both the state 2A/1A and 4A/3A tournaments. Laird tells the Casper Star-Tribune that the college tournament will start on Saturday should Casper College earn the right to host a playoff series in 2013 or 2014. If Casper College does host games, the WHSAA would move any of Saturday’s secondary high school tournament placement games to one of Casper’s high schools. … Read entire article »

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Rulon Gardner’s coach says the 40y-year-old heavyweight trained like a madman to get back to the Olympics. But Gardner says his body told him to stop cutting weight just hours before he was set to weigh in for the Olympic Team Trials. Gardner says he reached 269 pounds Friday before he realized he’d been pushing himself too hard to reach the 264.5 pound limit for his weight class. Gardner declined to weigh in, ending his quest to reach the London Olympics. Gardner won the gold medal in Sydney in 2000 and bronze in Athens eight years ago before gaining nearly 200 pounds after retiring from wrestling. U.S. national Greco-Roman coach Steve Fraser says Gardner trained harder than anyone else on the team over the past few months. … Read entire article »

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith is one of a group of Cowboys whose action during spring practice has been limited due to injury. Smith has been limited to individual drills but no contact because of an offseason surgery. Others held out of contact this spring include senior wide receiver Chris McNeill, senior offensive tackle Kyle Magnuson and senior strong safety Luke Ruff. Smith tells the Laramie Boomerang that he wishes he could do more during spring practice but he’s still been able to get some drill work in. Offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon says the drills have been helpful for Smith this spring. And the coach said he has seen improvements in Smith’s velocity and accuracy as the spring has progressed. … Read entire article »

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming’s coaching staff has challenged junior linebacker Devyn Harris this spring to be more of a leader vocally and physically. Harris admits he’s still working on both situations but is rising to the occasion of late in UW’s final week of spring camp. He tells the Casper Star-Tribune that’s he’s trying to be more vocal in talking to teammates and calling out plays. And he’s trying to be more of a leader by how he plays on the field. Coach Dave Christensen says Harris is coming along and he likes players who lead by example. Harris played in all 13 games last season and was UW’s sixth-leading tackler. This spring he has taken on the challenge of playing multiple linebacking positions.   … Read entire article »

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Redshirt freshman linebacker Zack Berg has been stealing the show in a way during the first month of Wyoming’s spring practice. The 6-foot-2, 226-pound Berg, from Redmond, Wash., has been collecting interceptions for the Cowboys this spring. Through 11 practices, including two scrimmages, Berg collected seven interceptions. UW coach Dave Christensen tells the Laramie Boomerang that that Berg has a knack for getting to the ball and has been very productive this spring. Berg is getting his chance this spring because of injuries that have taken some veteran Wyoming linebackers out of live contact practices. Berg likely won’t start this fall for the Cowboys, instead backing up Devyn Harris. But Berg, along with other young linebackers Alex Borgs and J.J. Quinlan, should provide needed depth at linebacker. … Read entire article »

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Cowgirls coach Joe Legerski has signed another player to this year’s recruiting class. Aubry Boehme (BAY’-mee) will join UW next fall. Legerski says the 6-foot Boehme will solidify the teams post play. Boehme, of Smithfield, Utah, played at Otero Junior College last season where she was a first team All-America selection. During her sophomore year, she averaged 17 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Boehme is the fourth student-athlete to sign with the Cowgirls. … Read entire article »

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming has more than one Smith at quarterback on the roster. Josh Smith has been practicing at both quarterback and receiver in spring camp while starting quarterback Brett Smith is kept out of contact. Josh Smith tells the Casper Star-Tribune that he wants to be on the field in any position. He originally walked on at Wyoming as a wide receiver. In Wednesday’s scrimmage, Smith played both quarterback and receiver, catching one touchdown pass. … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming coach Larry Shyatt has signed a big junior college guard and is looking to fill two more scholarships. Nathan Sobey signed Wednesday after playing the last two years at Cochise College in Arizona. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound native of Australia averaged 16.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game with Cochise last season. Shyatt says Sobey will fill a void left by the departure of senior guard Francisco Cruz, who also stood 6-3. Shyatt says Sobey is a competitor and works hard. Wyoming has signed five players for next season and has two more scholarships available. Shyatt says he is looking for an inside player who can help out right away and a transfer who can contribute after sitting out a season. … Read entire article »

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming’s new punter has spent the last few weeks honing his skills during spring camp. Australian Tim Gleeson has experienced the worst wind he’s ever seen, took part in UW’s first scrimmage and has worked to add a new style of kick to his repertoire. For years, Gleeson hoped that he’d make it as a professional Australian rules football player back in his home country, but a series of shoulder injuries derailed that dream. Gleeson tells the Casper Star-Tribune that about 20 Australian-born football players will play for Football Bowl Subdivision teams during the 2012 season. UW coach Dave Christensen says Gleeson is improving every day and has a stronger leg than former punter Austin McCoy. … Read entire article »

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming’s second scrimmage of spring camp went into sudden death. The defense eventually won 64-63 on Wednesday at War Memorial Stadium when running back Kody Sutton was tackled 1 yard short of the end zone on a screen pass. Coach Dave Christensen says it was good to see such a close scrimmage because that means both sides of the ball did good things. He also liked how physical the players were during the scrimmage. Backup quarterback Colby Kirkegaard completed 27 of 48 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns. He also was intercepted twice, including one returned 42 yards for a touchdown by sophomore cornerback Blair Burns. The defense recorded five sacks for 28 yards and was credited with 13 tackles for a loss of 44 yards. … Read entire article »