Cheney’s Gray wins bareback

Delaying knee surgery paid off handsomely for bareback rider Ryan Gray of Cheney.

Gray, who is scheduled for surgery later this month to deal with a torn meniscus and floating particles in his knee, had a 90-point ride in the final Saturday night to win the bareback riding title at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello. Gray won a rodeo-best $19,978.

“I guess that should cover the cost of the surgery,” he said.

Gray had rides of 84, 82 and 85 points before his 90-point performance in the finals, beating Chris Harris’ 87 points. The ride was one point off the arena record.

Magic center honors president

Orlando Magic center Marcin Gortat had more important issues on his mind Sunday than basketball.

The native of Poland paid tribute to his homeland’s president, who was killed along with 95 others in a plane crash in Russia. Gortat wrote the number of the fatal flight on his sneakers before the Magic played the Cleveland Cavaliers and wrote President Lech Kaczynski’s name on the tape around his wrist.

“It’s very sad,” Gortat said. “There were a lot of people putting our country on the right path to become one of the strongest and most powerful countries in Europe. Obviously, we pray for them.”

Kaczynski and dozens of political, military and religious leaders were killed in the crash. They were traveling to Russia to honor 22,000 Polish officers slain by the Soviet secret police in 1940.

Gortat’s father, Janusz, is a retired army officer who knew Kaczynski before he became president in 2005. Gortat, who learned of the crash through multiple text messages from family and friends in Poland, said he knew “two or three” of the dignitaries who died.

“It’s a tough loss for all of us,” he said.

Associated Press

Nuggets sign coach Karl’s son

The Denver Nuggets have signed Coby Karl, the son of coach George Karl.

Cody Karl’s signing was announced Sunday. George Karl, who survived prostate cancer several years ago, is battling throat and neck cancer and hasn’t been on the sideline since March 16.

Coby Karl was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 6 and then played on 10-day contract with Golden State.

Associated Press