Catchin' up on 'Dale-related action

Unfortunately I can't make up news, coaches and athletes are busy pretending they can play golf and working on their tans and I've managed to fool my boss into actually believing I can write hard news stories.

In the meantime there have been several interesting tidbits of information that I feel obliged to pass along. If you've already seen it or heard it then good for you. If not, at least it's something to chew on — albeit only about as tasty as those cardboard cookies you find at the dollar store.

FORMER CHARGER NICOLET BREAKS GREEN BAY BLIZZARD RECORD

[caption id="attachment_470" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Mark Nicolet"][/caption]

Former Hillsdale College star Mark Nicolet had one of his most memorable games as a professional football player last weekend.Against the AF2’s top­ranked defense of the Milwaukee Irons he got in the act late, during the Green Bay Bliz­zard’s 86-42 blowout win.
In backup QB duty he threw only five passes, but went 2-for-5 for 78 yards and two touch­downs.
The real kicker though was that Nicolet also took a quarterback draw 44 yards for a score, setting a Bliz­zard record for the longest run from scrimmage.
The Blizzard are now 8-5 on the season.

HILLSDALE TEEN EARNS PTHA WORLD CHAMPION TITLE

Roni Jo Roth, 19, daughter of Troy & Renee Roth, has earned the title of Pinto Horse Association of American (PtHA) World Champion. Roth earned her title showing her nine-year-old gelding, Chero­kee, in English riding classes at the annual World Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 2009 competition was simulcast in 52 countries around the world with 7,585 entries. During the 12 day competition Roth competed at the junior amateur level, ages 19-39. Her World Champion title was achieved in Disciplined Rail English. Additional placings included 3rd in English Pleasure, 4th in Ideal Pinto English, and 9th in Hunter Under Saddle. Roni is a 2008 graduate of Hillsdale High School and currently a sophomore at Hillsdale College studying pre-veterinary science.

LOCALS NAMED TO ALL-STATE BASEBALL TEAM
A pair of recently graduated Hillsdale County stars were named to the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association All­State teams earlier this month. After being named to the MHS­BCA All-State Second Team as a sophomore and junior, Reading’s Ryan Dillon was named to the Division 4 All-State First Team as a catcher. Likewise, Hillsdale senior Scott Lantis was named a utility player on the Division 3 All-State First Team. He will play baseball at Hillsdale College next year.

GLIAC COUPLE WINS FREE TV WEDDING
Ashland University cross country/track and field coaches Leigh Daniel and Nick Cordes have captured the hearts of viewers during the 10th annual NBC's 'Today Throws a Wed­ding.' The Ashland cou­ple have won a free wedding and the oppor­tunity to get married live on national televi­sion on July 15.
Following tradition, viewers will plan the winning finalists' wed­ding by texting and vot­ing on TODAYShow.com for the couple's rings, the wedding gown, the attendants' attire and the honeymoon.
Cordes and Daniel have dated for five years.
They met at an Olympic Development Program, but dating was prohib­ited so they had to keep their relationship silent.
Check out a video about the couple on MSNBC here if interested.