Wir suchen Dich! » their case to the committee. Instead, the Badgers have

RIO DE JANEIRO -- After Travis Stevens lost his championship match in judo to Russias Khasan Khalmurzaev on Tuesday evening, the two athletes embraced in a warm hug. They did so, Stevens said, because there is a brotherhood among the athletes in judo.Judo is a different sport than most, Stevens said. We train together worldwide. The Russian team has been really kind to me over the years. They invited me to their national training camps. I stayed there for two weeks here and there. So I have a bond with everybody I compete with. We bleed together, sweat together, train together. We go through all the trials and tribulations to be an Olympian.Stevens knows about those trials and tribulations all too well. A year ago, he suffered from a variety of illnesses -- a staph infection, cellulitis, etc. -- that caused one leg to swell to approximately twice its normal size. He still managed to compete at the world championships in Kazakhstan last August, only to learn back home in the States that if he had returned a day or two later, his condition would have been so bad the leg likely would have to have been amputated.He was hospitalized and underwent months of home care, during which time he wondered whether his judo career was over.It was definitely a scary moment, said Stevens, 30. And you tend to question what this moment in time is worth. I can tell you, it was worth every sacrifice I can make.It was. Stevens took silver in the 81kg class, the first medal by an American man in judo since the 2004 Olympics.While it is an honor for the U.S. team, Stevens also gives credit to the international camaraderie in the sport.Ive trained with the Russians, the Japanese, the Germans, the British, Stevens said. We get together, I would say, eight times a year for international camps. The best people in the world show up and we just work out.Its more of a brotherhood. We want to make sure every one of us is at the best shape we can be, and who better to train us than the people we compete against. Were the best in the world. ... If you dont train with the people you compete with, Im almost at a loss for words as to why not because the better guy is going to come out ahead anyway.It may be an international brotherhood, but Stevens still will be rooting on the U.S. the rest of the way.Right now, the next step is to enjoy the Olympic Games and the Olympic spirit and hopefully get to watch Team USA win a few more medals in more sports.College Jerseys .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. Authentic Jerseys . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. https://www.cheapjerseysjustwholesale.com/ . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. Offcial Jerseys . They reached the 100-point plateau for the fourth time in five games, bested the visiting Trail Blazers by 34 in the paint and scored 19 of the final 25 points in regulation. NBA Jerseys . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level.INDIANAPOLIS -- As Penn States band played and Lucas Oil Stadium rocked, thousands of fans clad in their traditional white shirts chanted We Are Penn State.It might have been more fitting if had it been We are Penn State -- and we are back.Five years after a child sex abuse scandal tainted the reputation of the school and its football program along with the legacy of late coach Joe Paterno, quarterback Trace McSorley put the Nittany Lions squarely back in the national spotlight Saturday night with an epic 38-31 come-from-behind victory over No. 6 Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. It was the largest comeback in the six-year history of the game.Before coach James Franklin left the field, he was already lobbying the playoff committee to put No. 8 Penn State in the final four.What I do know is that we just won the toughest conference in college football, he said. Weve won nine straight. They say youre allowed to overcome minor setbacks. Weve done that. Its up to you, committee.The Nittany Lions resume is impressive.Since rebounding from a 39-point thumping against Michigan on Sept. 24, Penn State (11-2, No. 7 CFP) has won every game, handed No. 2 Ohio State its only loss of the season and on Saturday rallied from a 21-point first-half deficit to end the Badgers six-game winning streak. Penn State also finished as co-champs of the Big Ten East, a division many considered the toughest in the nation, and now has its first conference crown in eight years.Many, including die-hard Penn State fans, wonder whether that will be enough to jump up three spots in the committees rankings. Some fans even held signs that read we smell roses.While McSorley, who was named the games MVP after a record-breaking performance, has even higher hopes, hes content to let his coach lobby for a playoff spot.Coach said what he needed to say, Im going to enjoy this moment with my teammates, McSorley said before leaving the stage on the field.It was certainly a moment worth savoring.McSorley finished 22 of 31 for 384 yards with four TD passes, breaking the title game records for yards and TD passes. He also broke the schools single-season records for yards passing and touchdown passes.And McSorley wasnt the only one putting on a show. Saeed Blacknall caught six passes, two for touchdowns, and finished with a championship-game record 155 yards. DaeSean Hamilton caught eight passes for 118 yards, most in the second half when the Nittany Lions repeatedly burned the nations No. 3 defense with deep throws.What was most imppressive was how they won it.ddddddddddddenn State trailed 28-7 with 5:15 left in the first half. Thats when McSorley and the Nittany Lions offense finally got in sync by scoring touchdowns on each of their next four possessions -- the last an 18-yard TD pass to Saquon Barkley with 13:41 left in the game. The Nittany Lions never trailed again.They made some plays down the field and we didnt make enough to make McSorley feel uncomfortable, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said.Wisconsin (10-3, No. 6 CFP) played without starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook but jumped to the big lead behind Corey Clement, who ran 21 times for 164 yards including a 67-yard TD run in the first quarter.But the Badgers usually stout defense allowed a season-high point total.Wisconsins final chance ended when Clement was stopped short of a first down on fourth-and-1 from the Penn State 24-yard line with 1:01 to go.THE TAKEAWAYPenn State: Consider the turnaround is complete. Five years after the Jerry Sandusky scandal tainted the program and the late Joe Paternos legacy, and the ensuing NCAA sanctions seemed to put the Nittany Lions on the fast track to nowhere, they are Big Ten champs and look like a real national championship contender.Wisconsin: After winning their first two title game appearances, the Badgers have now lost their two -- in shocking fashion. Coach Paul Chryst never could have expected this from a defense that hadnt allowed more than 30 points all season and had only allowed No. 2 Ohio State to gain more than 400 yards in a game this year.POLL IMPLICATIONSPenn State: Coach James Franklin insisted all week that his team was focused more on winning a Big Ten title. Now, the lobbying can begin -- if Franklin wants to. The argument goes like this: Co-champs of the toughest division in college football, championship game winners of the best conference in football and the only team to beat No. 2 Ohio State. Will it be enough?Wisconsin: In the first half, the Badgers looked like they would be making their case to the committee. Instead, the Badgers have no idea what will happen next.UP NEXTPenn State: Will eagerly wait to see who is next on the schedule.Wisconsin: Will wait to see who the Badgers will get in the postseason, one that could have been much more interesting had they protected their lead.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '