The 2012 Asian Festival will feature Columbus’ only Dragon Boat Race, which is the fastest growing water sport on Memorial Day on Monday, May 28 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Genoa Park, along Scioto River, next to COSI.  Admission and parking are free to the event. Groups who want to race in the Dragon Boat event can visit www.asian-festival.org to learn how to register and get more information.

Dragon Boat racing offers a 21^st century experience of cultural traditions originating nearly 2500 years ago from central southern China.  Marking the bicentennial celebration of Columbus, Ohio, Dragon boats will compete on a 200 meter course on the Scioto River on Monday, May 28, 2012.  Dragon Boat Race teams are set in the categories of Corporate, non-profit and High school groups. The winning team will receive an award and be recognized in the 2013 Dragon Boat race event. The all-day event at Genoa Park showcases 20 racing teams, performances of cultural music and dance, traditional Asian foods, and information from local vendors and sponsors.

The Dragon Boat is 40 feet long and weighs about 400 pounds without the racers.  A team of 20 paddlers sit two-by-two on flat benches.  The steersman (Sweep) sits aft and guides the vessel to stay on the course.  The drummer speeds or slows beating intensity in response to non-verbal signals by the Sweep and encourages paddlers to propel the boat forward to the finish line.

The 2012 Dragon Boat competition includes teams from local and regional companies and clubs.  Race coordination, timing and equipment are provided by the Great White North Dragon Boat Racing Company. Twenty teams compete in a series of heats to qualify for the championship.  Each heat lasts about 4 minutes. Teams from ABC TV Channel 6, Roxanne Labs, State Farm Insurance and Yelp.com Columbus are returning from their appearances in 2011.  Teams assemble at 8 a.m. and at 8:45 a.m. the ceremonial applications of red paint to the eyes of the dragon by a Monk will ‘bring the dragons to life’ for the races. Racing begins at 9 a.m. and concludes with a championship race and awards presentation.

Dragon Boating became an organized sport in 1991 with the formation of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF). The IDBF establishes rules and standards for internationally sanctioned races and club events. Teams may be all male, all female or mixed with a minimum age of 16 years.  With the support of donations, sponsors and grants, many communities have developed training sites for local Dragon Boat clubs. Nearby Dragon Boat races take place in Toledo, Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

The Asian Festival is FREE and open to the public. It will be held at Franklin Park (1777 E. Broad Street) and in Genoa Park on the Scioto River over the Memorial Day Weekend. For more information, visit www.asian-festival.org or call 614-366-8214.

The game marked the first time Urban Meyer appeared on the sideline as Ohio State coach. Coming off its second national championship in three years, Alabama drew 78,526 fans this year. That was a drop from the last two years, in which the school drew more than 90,000 fans for both games.

Several schools set new spring game attendance records. Oregon drew 44,129 fans, setting a school record for a second straight year. UO also set a Pac-12 Conference record. Washington State, which brought in new coach Mike Leach this season, drew a school record 10,713 fans, up 163% from last season. Other schools setting new records were Arkansas, Georgia and Clemson. Notre Dame drew 31,582 fans for its game, up from recent years and marking the school’s fifth-best mark all-time. Several schools were affected by weather. Nebraska, which has held a spring game every year since ’50, had its game cancelled due to bad weather. West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Illinois also saw huge dips in attendance due to weather. TCU, which joins the Big 12 this fall, went without a spring game this year due to ongoing construction at Amon G. Carter Stadium (THE DAILY).

Jewish day school athletes from across the country have been invited to participated in a baseball tournament, the magnitude, while small in size is large in meaning to its participants.

Hosted by Columbus Torah Academy, the invitational, affectionately known as CBI, now enters its 3^rd year.  High School athletes from schools in Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and New Jersey will converge upon the fields in Columbus for healthy competition and community building.

Beginning in a round robin tournament, the six teams will battle on the fields or face elimination until the field is down to a semifinal and championship game.

The boys will not play on Friday night or Saturday in observance of the Jewish Sabbath, but will spend time learning about the value of sports in the Jewish religion and how to use athletics in a positive way as well as mingling with one another along shared interests – religion, athletics and general teen dispositions.

The Columbus Torah Academy Lions play in the COBC (Central Ohio Buckeye Conference) and is currently completing their construction of the home baseball field which will be ready later this season.  The Lady Lions softball field is already a focal point for enthusiastic supporters.

Visiting teams for the CBI include Ida Crown Academy, The Ramaz School, Kusher Academy, Yeshiva Atlanta and Ohr Yisrael in addition to Columbus Torah Academy.

In the fall of 2011, fans across the country had the chance to vote for one of four finalists they wanted to host the Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams game.  The winner of the Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams contest was Columbus resident Tim Wisecup and on May 12th, he will be joined by 10 of his friends at Huntington Park to play a 6-inning baseball game against a team of MLB legends including Johnny Bench, Frank Thomas, Reggie Jackson and more.  A full lineup by position can be seen below.

The Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams game will be payed at Huntington Park on Saturday May 12. Gates open to the Public at 4:30 p.m. ET with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. Fans can get 2 free tickets with the purchase of a 12-pack of Pepsi MAX at their Columbus area Kroger store or purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com. All tickets are General Admission.

The Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams Team is comprised of:

Catcher – Johnny Bench
First Baseman – Frank Thomas
Second Baseman – Rod Carew
Third Baseman – Wade Boggs
Shortstop – Ozzie Smith
Outfielders – Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice
Pitcher – Pedro Martinez
Relief Pitcher – Dennis Eckersley
Designated Hitter – Edgar Martinez

Click here for more information.

Blog entry submitted by Aron Tharp - President, Columbus Jackaroos – Australian Rules Football Club

Who we are:

We are the Jacks and Jills, the men’s and women’s Australian Rules Football Clubs here in Columbus, Ohio. We play local metro games and travel throughout the Midwest and further, competing against teams from Nashville, Chicago, Toronto, and more. You’re likely to see us around Columbus at Byrne’s Pub (our biggest sponsor since 2008), in Outlook Magazine (our new partner in 2012), at an involvement fair at one of the new Aussie Fit gyms, or at Mud Ninja (in South Salem).  Last year the clubs combined for over 50 active members.

What we do:

Our season kicks off with our first game on April 21^st and concludes with the United States Australian Football League (USAFL) national tournament October 13^th and 14^th. We practice weekly at Tuttle Park near Ohio State’s main campus and usually host games there or at Darree Fields Park in Dublin. This year Dublin is hosting the USA vs. Canada game on August 4^th. The cup will match up the Men’s, Women’s, and U-23 clubs to showcase the best of the best of North America. Dublin will also be hosting either the 2013 or 2014 national tournament.  Both the cup and the tournament will be played at Darree Fields Park.

Come Check Us out:

Columbus is very involved in the promotion and growth of this unique and exciting sport in the United States. We’d like to extend an open invitation to come and join us for a practice or to watch one of our games (see schedule below). There are spots for players with varying levels of involvement on the team too, from playing only in local matches to competing with the traveling team.  We’re always looking for new players and fans, with rolling recruitment throughout the season. The Jacks practice on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., and the Jills practice on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. Come out and play with us and see if you have what it takes to be the next Jack or Jill!

Upcoming Schedule:

• April 21^st vs. Toronto Central Blues and Central Lady Blues – Columbus, OH
• April 28^th John Harrell Memorial Cup – Louisville, KY (tournament hosted by the Ohio Valley Riverrats)
• May 19^th vs. North Carolina Tigers – Columbus, OH
• June 2^nd vs Ohio Valley River Rats – Cincinnati, OH
• June 16^th vs Nashville Kangaroos – Nashville, TN
• June 30^th vs Chicago United – Columbus, OH

National Schedule:

• August 4^th – 49^th Parallel Cup – USA vs. Canada– Dublin, OH Darree Fields Park
• October 13^th – 14^th USAFL National Tournament – Mason, OH

Want more information?

E-mail us at columbusfooty@gmail.com to be added to our newsletter, check out our website at www.columbusfooty.com, or like us on Facebook @ Columbus Jackaroos ARFC and Columbus Jillaroos Australian Football Club.

What is Australian Rules Football?

“Aussie rules” or “footy” (as it’s colloquially known) shares similarities with many sports you’re already familiar with. There are three ways to advance the ball. The first, and most important, is kicking the ball (usually a punt). Unlike soccer, the ball is oblong and players can use their hands. Players run routes, similar to wide receivers in American football, and receive “marks” from kicks rather than catching passes. The second way to move the ball is to do what’s called a “handball.” It is illegal to throw the ball, so players must hit the ball from their hands similar to an underhanded serve in volleyball. This is a great way to maintain possession of the ball and clear it from traffic. The third way to advance the ball is simply to run with it.

Footy shares similarities with other sports as well. For example, players can be tackled like in rugby, but often will kick or handball to a teammate to avoid the tackle and a loss of possession.  Additionally, players can “shepherd” opposing players to create space for a teammate to gain control of and/or advance the ball, similar to a check in hockey.

Games are played with 18 players on the field at a time for each team. The field is oval and up to 180 yards long and 120 yards wide at the middle. The objective of the game is to kick the ball through the uprights at the end of the oval. A “goal,” worth 6 points, is scored when the ball is kicked through the middle of the four uprights. A “behind,” worth 1 point, is scored when the ball is kicked through the outer uprights or is touched on its way through the middle uprights. There are positions for people who are tall, short, muscular, fast, and/or endurance athletes.

You can find a more detailed explanation of the game here: http://www.columbusfooty.com/about_the_game/index.php

• Columbus is excited to celebrate the 90th year of the boys state high school basketball tournament with all but nine having been in Columbus and the tournament moving into the Schottenstein Center in 1999.
• Overall, Columbus is proud to host 19 state tournaments each year and we believe that is one of the highest numbers in the country for one city
• Two schools from Central Ohio are still in contention for the state title with No. 9 Columbus Africentric (22-3) in Division IV and No. 4 Pickerington Central (24-2) in Division I each playing in the semifinals. Africentric’s game is Thursday at 10:45 a.m. and Pickerington’s game is Friday at 8:30 p.m.
• The Boys Tournament will also feature an intriguing semifinal rematch of the Girls Tournament Division IV championship when Berlin Hiland  (25-1) will take on Arlington (23-3).  Arlington defeated Berlin Hiland 52-37 to win the Girls state title.

2012 State Tournament Information

Tickets can be purchased in person at Ticketmaster locations (including most Kroger stores), by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or by going on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.  If ordering on-line, type ‘OHSAA’ in the search area for a quick link to tournament tickets. Ticketmaster orders will also include applicable service charges.

To avoid service charges, tickets can be purchased in person in Columbus at the OSU Athletic Ticket Office, located in the southeast corner of the Schottenstein Center with office hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All ticket sales — both all-session and single-session — for the OHSAA girls state basketball tournament continue. All-session ticket books cost $64 each and single-session tickets are $10 each. The girls state tournament will also be held at the Schottenstein Center and is March 15, 16 and 17.

Tickets can be purchased in person at Ticketmaster locations (including most Kroger stores), by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or by going on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.  If ordering on-line, type ‘OHSAA’ in the search area for a quick link to tournament tickets. Ticketmaster orders will also include applicable service charges.

To avoid service charges, tickets can be purchased in person in Columbus at the OSU Athletic Ticket Office, located in the southeast corner of the Schottenstein Center with office hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tournament Schedule

Thursday, March 15 – Semifinals
  click pairings below to view game stats and box score

• 1:00 p.m. – Division IV Game #1 – Session 1
  Arlington (25-1) vs. Mansfield St. Peter’s (21-4)
• 3:00 p.m. – Division IV Game #2 – Session 1
  Berlin Hiland (18-8) vs. New Madison Tri-Village (25-1)
• 6:00 p.m. – Division III Game #1 – Session 2
  Smithville (26-0) vs. Columbus Africentric Early College (21-4)
• 8:00 p.m. – Division III Game #2 – Session 2
  Findlay Liberty-Benton ( 23-2) vs. Anna (26-0)

Friday, March 16 – Semifinals
  click pairings below to view game stats and box score

• 1:00 p.m. – Division II Game #1 – Session 3
  Millersburg West Holmes (23-3) vs. Lima Bath (23-2)
• 3:00 p.m. – Division II Game #2 – Session 3
  Shaker Hts. Hathaway Brown (20-5) vs. Bellbrook (22-4)
• 6:00 p.m. – Division I Game #1 – Session 4
  Kettering Fairmont (23-3) vs. Toledo Notre Dame Academy (22-4)
• 8:00 p.m. – Division I Game #2 – Session 4
  Reynoldsburg (26-0) vs. Twinsburg (23-3)

Saturday, March 17 – Finals

• 10:45 a.m. – Division IV – Session 5
• 2:00 p.m. – Division III – Session 6
• 5:15 p.m. – Division II – Session 7
• 8:30 p.m. – Division I – Session 8

There were a lot of of winners from Central Ohio/Franklin County at the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state swimming tournament and we would like to congratulate all the state champions on their accomplishments.

Girls Swimming

Upper Arlington – Division I Team Champion

Grace Long (Upper Arlington) Division I – 100 Yd Freestyle

Grace Long, Jessica Miller, Jenny Smith, Gabby Veri (Upper Arlington) Division I – 200 Yd Freestyle Relay

Grace Long, Lauren Comer, Jenny Smith, Gabby Veri (Upper Arlington) Division I – 400 Yd Freestyle Relay

Camey Rabold (Columbus Bishop Watterson) Division I – 200 Freestyle

Maddie Martin (Pickerington Central) Division I – 100 Yd Butterfly

Olivia Ball (Olentangy Liberty) Division I – Diving

Andrea Cottrell (Columbus Bishop Hartley) Division II – 100 Yd Breaststroke

Boys Swimming

Joey Long (Upper Arlington) Division I – 200 & 500 Yd Freestyle

Jake Moore (Dublin Jerome) Division I – 100 Yd Butterfly

Ronnie Bolden (Columbus Bishop Hartley) Division II – 50 Yd Freestyle

The Greater Columbus High School Club Hockey League (GCHSCHL) is a USA Hockey sanctioned league participating in the Mid American (MIDAM) District. It

The weekend of March 9-11, 2012, twelve high school club hockey teams from Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus will compete for the Buckeye Cup Championship at the Ohio Health Ice Haus and Chiller North. The Cup, the Holy Grail among Ohio’s three highly competitive prep club leagues, annually draws outstanding individual talent as well as spirited team play well worth watching.

While the defending champion Northeast Storm out of Columbus’ GCHSCHL ranks will return to compete for the Cup, three other strong contenders from the league will take their run at keeping the hardware in Franklin County. The top-seeded and top-ranked Hilliard Wildcats, winners of their first-ever regular season championship lead the charge along with the Bluejacket Cup champion and second ranked and seeded Newark Generals, the Westerville Warcats, and Storm.

From Cleveland’s North Coast League come Fremont, Jackson, North Royalton, and Medina.  And, Cincinnati’s CHSHL sends Mason, Butler County, Lakota West, and Northern Kentucky.

The club circuits that feature nine teams in Cleveland, nine in Cincinnati, and six here in Columbus’ GCHSCHL, are open to those student-athletes whose high schools do not sponsor varsity teams under the auspices of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The clubs are governed by the rules and regulations of USA Hockey and provide much-needed outlets for many talented players who otherwise might not be in a position to continue youth hockey careers.

In 1998-99 Columbus’ GCHSCHL was established. The  Original “7” members were Hilliard Southwest, Dublin, Olentangy, Pickerington/Reynoldsburg, St. Charles, Westerville, and Gahanna.  As hockey became more popular among the high schools in Columbus, the number of member teams began to fluctuate as some clubs pursued membership in the OHSAA.

The GCHSCHL continues to develop and promote high school hockey through its current six member teams; the Athens Bobcats, Hilliard Southwest Wildcats, Newark Generals, Northeast Storm, and PRPC Prowlers (Pickerington/ Reynoldsburg/ Pataskala/Canal Winchester).

So, whether you are a casual fan of the game or a self-declared “Rink Rat”, you are bound to find an abundance of outstanding and highly competitive hockey in Columbus this coming weekend.

The tournament, sponsored by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Papa Johns Pizza, Marriott, and Ohio Sports Marketing, runs through the weekend with each team facing a grueling five-game grind to claim the Cup in a championship game set for Sunday at Chiller North at 4 p.m.

Admission to each game at every location is free as are programs. Commemorative t-shirts are also available along with professional photography services for individual and team sales.

Click here for more information.