In brief: McCombs af2 lineman of year

Football: Ben McCombs of the Spokane Shock has been named arenafootball2’s Lineman of the Year in a vote of coaches and media.

In his first season with the Shock, the six-year veteran led the league in sacks with 15  1/2 and tackles for loss, spearheading a defense that allowed the fewest points in af2 and ranked first in turnover margin. Recently named to the National Conference first team, McCombs is also the league’s career leader in sacks with 56  1/2 .

In other af2 news, Shock owner Brady Nelson and former coach Chris Siegfried are two of 15 finalists for 10 spots in the inaugural class of the af2 Hall of Fame to be honored at the ArenaCup in Las Vegas on Aug. 22.

The Shock continues its playoff march Saturday at the Spokane Arena, meeting the Tulsa Talons for the National Conference championship at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Arena Cup.

USOC focused on Chicago in 2016

Olympics: U.S. Olympic leaders repeated Monday that their attention is completely fixed on the quest to bring the 2016 Games to Chicago.

“Let me reiterate that position in the most adamant terms,” CEO Stephanie Streeter said. “Chicago is not only our current bid city, it is our only bid city, and it is the sole focus of our efforts.”

The statement came in the wake of recent reports that Pittsburgh might explore a bid for the 2020 Summer Games – a possibility that would only exist if Chicago failed to land the 2016 Olympics.

Also, the deadline for submitting formal proposals for the 2018 Winter Olympics is in October, and cities such as Denver and Reno, Nev., have been mentioned in the past as possible candidates. Denver leaders have also said 2022 might be more realistic.

The USOC has repeatedly said it would not back 2018 bids.

–Associated Press

Redman chosen by U.S. Rowing

Jamie Redman of Spokane was selected as a member of the Women’s Four crew that will represent the United States at the World Rowing Championships, Aug. 23-30 in Poznan, Poland.