To Sarah Groff on her terrific showing in the Olympics.
Groff, who attended Cooperstown High School, finished the Women's Triathlon at the London Games in two hours flat on Saturday.
She was just 10 seconds behind bronze medalist Erin Densham of Austria and only 12 seconds behind the photo finish between gold medalist Nicola Spirig of Switzerland and Sweden's Lisa Norden, who won the silver medal.
Groff spent 19 minutes and 20 seconds in the water and was 11th out of 55 when she exited the lake. She picked up three spots in the transition from swim to bike.
Groff stayed near the back of a 22-woman lead group for most of her ride of 1 hour, five minutes and 40 seconds, but was never more than two seconds behind the leaders. She exited her bike eighth and after she transitioned to the run, she was seventh.
About midway through the run, Groff was among a group of seven women in the lead pack. Soon after, she dropped off the pace, falling about 30 yards behind, but came back to the lead pack, coming up as far as second.
"Fourth is the worst position to be in," Groff told the Los Angeles Times. "But at the end of the day, I'm an Olympian. Obviously, I came here to try to get a medal. And I didn't. But only three people get a medal. I'm going to have to wait another four years."
We understand the disappointment in finishing just out of the medals, but Groff was the fourth best in the world that day. That is quite an accomplishment. We congratulate her on her performance and hope to see her in Brazil in 2016.
To the Oneonta Outlaws and the Cooperstown Hawkeyes on another good season of summer baseball.
Although neither team made it to the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League playoffs, we're glad to see Damaschke and Doubleday fields busy with games.
Oneonta finished the season Wednesday with a record of 25-22. Cooperstown finished the season July 31 in last place, with a 12-32 season. It was good to see both teams in the same league this year for the cross-county rivalry to continue. We look forward to what next year will bring.
To the pending issuance of U.S. Treasury coins to mark the 75th anniversary of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
President Barack Obama on Friday signed the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act into law.
The bipartisan legislation came at the urging of U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who have also asked the Treasury Department to mint the coins at the U.S. Mint at West Point.
The Treasury will mint 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half dollar coins in recognition of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum during a one-year period starting Jan. 1, 2015. Production of the coins will be financed by their subsequent sale, ensuring no cost to taxpayers.
The Hall is a treasure to our area, and the coins show it is also a treasure to the nation.
