Latest news with #Baker
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
OT7 Finals: Top performers from opening day
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The first full day of action at the OT7 Finals in South Florida kicked off on Friday with a loaded field. Some of the teams that made the championship round were delayed thanks to Mother Nature, but there were plenty of big-time players and performances to take in before and after that point. Rivals was on hand and takes a closer look at the best in show. OT7 FINALS: Recruiting Rumor Mill CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State 1. Derrick Baker The Sunshine State native now at Milton (Ga.) High School was back at his old high school field and dialed in. Baker was able to work through progressions quickly and fire in footballs with high RPMs through tight windows. Advertisement It led to a bevy of scores against just one turnover that wasn't even his fault (tipped by wide receiver) on an undefeated first day. Baker even got to flash the wheels and situational awareness in avoiding the blitz and picking up chunks with his legs during the nightcap. 2. Tylan Wilson Among the bulk of the games we took in, there wasn't a safety who made as many plays on the football as the Mississippi native wth Texas A&M buzz to his name. Wilson has excellent range and comes off the hash with a purpose, separating the ball from the wide receiver on several occasions upon arrival. Advertisement Even when the PBUs didn't rack up, Wilson was in position to make plays well more than not. The length and instincts are also strong within the four-star's game. 3. Jamar Owens The 7-on-7 game is about possessions and Owens not only flipped the field with a pair of interceptions, but he took each tender to the house for points. The first was an instinctive jump on the football for a walk-in score but the second was even better, coming off of one wide receiver to play the lane and snag the INT. Owens made other plays down the field, including in the end zone, even somehow showing some physicality along the way. 4. Larry Miles It was another day at the office for Miles, who commits on July 1. He is crafty in and out of his breaks and certainly flashes top speed in short order with the ball in his hands. But the element that the four-star flashed most on this day was his strong hands. Advertisement He collected the football in traffic on routine, particularly in his first game en route to three touchdowns, and gripped it away from his frame with ease. 5. Jonas Williams The USC commitment stood in ready to launch from the outset on Friday. He pushes the ball down the field with true ease and while he showed that part of his game off, he was even more impressive in tight quarters and near the end zone. Williams can work a fast ball but also layered it well over the middle. Just as importantly, there were no glaring mistakes in his game, he took what the defense gave him or dirted the ball when nothing was presented. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH USC FANS AT 6. Zion Crumpton The recent Mississippi State commitment didn't collect the volume of receptions some of the others on the list did, but the flashes were among the most head-turning of the day coming from any position. Crumpton hit the high point on a pair of touchdown grabs, drawing audible reactions from the crowd on each – and one right after the other. The bounce and ball skills may have been the best of the day and the final snag sent a game to overtime. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MISSISSIPPI STATE FANS AT 7. Devin Fitzgerald The NFL legacy stole the show at the All-Star Game on Thursday night, taking home MVP honors after multiple touchdown grabs, and he had another pair of scores to his name in the national television showcase to end the evening. Advertisement Fitzgerald has added good weight to his frame but, to the surprise of few, he carries the mass well and shows polish as a route-runner out of his breaks. The rising senior's score on a 7-cut at the back pylon was a sample of his all-around game on one play, getting the defender off of his hip without much wasted motion before a snag away from his body. 8. Naeem Burroughs The Clemson commitment is known for speed and he showed it off on multiple occasions, including on a bang-8 route in which he created separation on multiple defenders in the end zone. Burroughs has more polish than given credit for and that was on display, too, in two of his touchdown grabs to round out his first game. One came in tight quarters in traffic and the other came with all of his momentum pushing him toward the sideline, extending for the football while dragging his feet. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CLEMSON FANS AT 9. Aaron Gregory The Texas A&M commitment is steady and just makes plays. On this day he flashed on both sides of the ball, making his initial plays at safety with a pair of PBUs and a key interception during C1N's upset of SFE. Gregory got back to what he does best in the night camp, snagging plenty of passes away from his frame in the end zone for touchdowns and conversions alike. Gregory has great body control and maximizes a classic X frame to present a large target for the passer. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS A&M FANS AT 10. Gavin Sidwar The Mizzou quarterback commitment put up consistent points to kick off his OT7 Finals slate, both working the ball all over the field but also manipulating speed along the way. Advertisement He anticipated well from the outside in and even threw some of his targets open against tight coverage. It isn't flashy, but the blue-chipper moves the football and keeps his team in the thick of it. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MISSOURI FANS AT NOTES *The talk of the morning session was the offseason debut for five-star quarterback Jared Curtis. The Georgia commitment needed some time to settle in with a team and targets he has known for some 24 hours, but when it looked right, the big passer answered the bell. He showed competitiveness and plenty of arm talent in pushing the football down the field on routine. Advertisement *The catch of the day belonged to one of the youngest players in attendance in rising-sophomore Brysen Wright, who skied for a one-handed snag along the sidelines despite contested work from the defender. *A matchup worth the price of admission we may see more intensity from provided several strong samples Friday when Jordan Clay and Danny Odem tangled. The rising-seniors each made tough plays against one another in the end zone, sparking the type of tension that may carry over to the weekend. *Lorenzo Aguirre led the RG3 team to the upset of the night, a late comeback win over Cam Newton's squad and it came with two of the prettiest deep balls of the entire day. The winning "onside throw" got behind several FBS secondary recruits. *There weren't many players who snagged multiple interceptions on a somewhat limited day, but Houston commit Kah'ni Watts did just that. The first came early in the action, snagging the INT and taking it to the house without much contention. The second showcased some instincts and more ball skills, picking one off after a deflection and nearly taking that one the distance.
The Age
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
Josh Parr pulls right rein on Elamaz to cap winning treble at Rosehill
Back-up Baker set for return Bjorn Baker was considering a seven-day back-up for Thunderlips into the listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill after he gave the Warwick Farm trainer a double on Saturday at the track. Baker, who earlier won with Puntin, went to 86 Sydney winners for the season as he chases a first century in town. He is second only to Chris Waller (145) and went past 150 winners nationwide for the first time. Zoustar four-year-old Thunderlips, $450,000 yearling, backed up a Randwick win on June 7 with a fighting effort to catch Zouatica by a long neck in the 1500m benchmark 88. 'He's hard to catch at times but he's going very well,' Baker said. 'He loves it wet, too, and there's a bit of rain this week. Maybe back-up Baker could return for the back-end of the season.' Asked if he would nominate Thunderlips for the Winter Stakes, he said, 'Why not?' Penza gives Waller a peach Veteran jockey Jeff Penza repaid the faith of premier trainer Chris Waller with a perfect ride to break a run of placings for Changing Colours. Waller called on the 55-year-old, who rides mostly on the provincial and country circuits, to fill the void for him at Rosehill with seven bookings, three of which were later scratched. Changing Colours had two wins and six placings in eight career starts, all in Victoria, including seconds at her past three runs, before tackling the 1400m benchmark 78 for fillies and mares on Saturday. Penza had the four-year-old near last on the turn before negotiating a path through the field. He found clear air at the 250m and Changing Colours charged to a one-and-three-quarter lengths win over Fairway Star. Penza, who rode Summer Flame to victory for Waller in the listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone last month, has come back from serious falls at Taree in 2023 (broken ribs, concussion and damaged lungs) and Queanbeyan (leg fractures, broken wrist and shoulder) in 2018. 'That was a good ride, he was patient and he took his gaps and used angles to safely get her into the clear,' Waller said. 'He's a great rider and horseman, and it's a pleasure to have him aboard. He's very fit and keen, and he really is a credit to himself, the way he's stayed fit and mobile. 'He doesn't ride work for us but when we get stuck, I call him. I called him yesterday, and he was 'yeah, no worries'. If you want him there, he'll be there.' Misterkipchoge later broke a 17-month, 18-start drought to give Waller a double. The four-year-old, with Jean Van Overmiere aboard, edged out stablemate Pure Alpha in the 1800m benchmark 78 for a first win since saluting on debut in Australia in January last year. He had eight placings in between the victories. At Eagle Farm, Sydney-based Irishman Tom Sherry rode his first group 1 winner, taking Tashi to victory for Randwick trainer Peter Snowden in the Tattersall's Tiara. Veteran mare lifts for Curtis Trainer Lee Curtis said he may have to put back retirement plans for Bacio Del Mist after she was strong late to win the 2400m Stayers Cup on her home track at Rosehill on Saturday. Jockey Alysha Collett weaved a path through the small field from near last and the seven-year-old lifted to hit the lead 50 m out and beat Mormona by a neck. Collett finished with a double after winning the last on Lady Extreme. 'She's had horrible luck,' said Curtis, who trains a team of 19 with his wife, Cherie. 'The plan was just to go through this prep then wind it up, but these old blokes that own it, they'll probably say we'll race her another 12 months. 'She's been in work a long time. She's had just a little let-up. She's a marvel, for a $30,000 yearling out of Zoustar.' Bacio Del Mist has seven wins and eight placings from 44 starts, with $356,505 in stakes. Super result for Seth's mates The owners of Puntin savoured a special first Saturday win for the talented three-year-old at Rosehill, and trainer Bjorn Baker is confident bigger victories are to come. A $60,000 son of Super Seth, Puntin led the benchmark 72 handicap (1400m) for three- and four-year-olds under Ash Morgan and was strong late to hold out Don't Forget Jack by a short neck. Loading It was a fourth win in six starts for Puntin, which was named after Seth Puntin. 'He died of cancer about two or three years ago and when we bought the Super Seth, it kind of made sense to name him after Seth,' part-owner Cameron Sinclair said. 'They are all his really good mates, so it's a good story and a bloody good horse. We're in Disneck as well, and some of them are first-time owners, so it's really good.'
Sydney Morning Herald
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Josh Parr pulls right rein on Elamaz to cap winning treble at Rosehill
Back-up Baker set for return Bjorn Baker was considering a seven-day back-up for Thunderlips into the listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill after he gave the Warwick Farm trainer a double on Saturday at the track. Baker, who earlier won with Puntin, went to 86 Sydney winners for the season as he chases a first century in town. He is second only to Chris Waller (145) and went past 150 winners nationwide for the first time. Zoustar four-year-old Thunderlips, $450,000 yearling, backed up a Randwick win on June 7 with a fighting effort to catch Zouatica by a long neck in the 1500m benchmark 88. 'He's hard to catch at times but he's going very well,' Baker said. 'He loves it wet, too, and there's a bit of rain this week. Maybe back-up Baker could return for the back-end of the season.' Asked if he would nominate Thunderlips for the Winter Stakes, he said, 'Why not?' Penza gives Waller a peach Veteran jockey Jeff Penza repaid the faith of premier trainer Chris Waller with a perfect ride to break a run of placings for Changing Colours. Waller called on the 55-year-old, who rides mostly on the provincial and country circuits, to fill the void for him at Rosehill with seven bookings, three of which were later scratched. Changing Colours had two wins and six placings in eight career starts, all in Victoria, including seconds at her past three runs, before tackling the 1400m benchmark 78 for fillies and mares on Saturday. Penza had the four-year-old near last on the turn before negotiating a path through the field. He found clear air at the 250m and Changing Colours charged to a one-and-three-quarter lengths win over Fairway Star. Penza, who rode Summer Flame to victory for Waller in the listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone last month, has come back from serious falls at Taree in 2023 (broken ribs, concussion and damaged lungs) and Queanbeyan (leg fractures, broken wrist and shoulder) in 2018. 'That was a good ride, he was patient and he took his gaps and used angles to safely get her into the clear,' Waller said. 'He's a great rider and horseman, and it's a pleasure to have him aboard. He's very fit and keen, and he really is a credit to himself, the way he's stayed fit and mobile. 'He doesn't ride work for us but when we get stuck, I call him. I called him yesterday, and he was 'yeah, no worries'. If you want him there, he'll be there.' Misterkipchoge later broke a 17-month, 18-start drought to give Waller a double. The four-year-old, with Jean Van Overmiere aboard, edged out stablemate Pure Alpha in the 1800m benchmark 78 for a first win since saluting on debut in Australia in January last year. He had eight placings in between the victories. At Eagle Farm, Sydney-based Irishman Tom Sherry rode his first group 1 winner, taking Tashi to victory for Randwick trainer Peter Snowden in the Tattersall's Tiara. Veteran mare lifts for Curtis Trainer Lee Curtis said he may have to put back retirement plans for Bacio Del Mist after she was strong late to win the 2400m Stayers Cup on her home track at Rosehill on Saturday. Jockey Alysha Collett weaved a path through the small field from near last and the seven-year-old lifted to hit the lead 50 m out and beat Mormona by a neck. Collett finished with a double after winning the last on Lady Extreme. 'She's had horrible luck,' said Curtis, who trains a team of 19 with his wife, Cherie. 'The plan was just to go through this prep then wind it up, but these old blokes that own it, they'll probably say we'll race her another 12 months. 'She's been in work a long time. She's had just a little let-up. She's a marvel, for a $30,000 yearling out of Zoustar.' Bacio Del Mist has seven wins and eight placings from 44 starts, with $356,505 in stakes. Super result for Seth's mates The owners of Puntin savoured a special first Saturday win for the talented three-year-old at Rosehill, and trainer Bjorn Baker is confident bigger victories are to come. A $60,000 son of Super Seth, Puntin led the benchmark 72 handicap (1400m) for three- and four-year-olds under Ash Morgan and was strong late to hold out Don't Forget Jack by a short neck. Loading It was a fourth win in six starts for Puntin, which was named after Seth Puntin. 'He died of cancer about two or three years ago and when we bought the Super Seth, it kind of made sense to name him after Seth,' part-owner Cameron Sinclair said. 'They are all his really good mates, so it's a good story and a bloody good horse. We're in Disneck as well, and some of them are first-time owners, so it's really good.'
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
Wellness Industry's Dark Side: Experts Warn Of Dangers In RNZ Podcast The Lodge
The global wellness industry, valued at approximately $5 trillion, harbours a dangerous underbelly, according to a new RNZ podcast. Unproven therapies and charismatic gurus can lead vulnerable individuals away from life-saving medical treatments, the investigation reveals. " The Lodge", an eight-part series by journalist Phil Vine, examines the rise of wellness culture through the story of Aiping Wang. Wang, a Chinese-born guru established a following first in Eastern Europe, then in New Zealand's remote Fiordland. She offered her followers the possibility of healing without medicine. Several experts featured in the podcast warn that social media has supercharged problematic wellness claims, creating an environment where influencers can reach millions with unproven health advice. "What's new is the rise of social media and many digital technologies that enable ordinary individuals to build a brand online and to reach a vast global audience," explains Dr Stephanie Baker from City University in London. She's the author of Wellness Culture: How the Wellness Movement Has Been Used to Empower, Profit and Misinform. The podcast explores how wellness movements often exploit legitimate distrust in conventional healthcare systems, what Dr Baker calls the "low trust society." Dr Jon-Patrick Allem, Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences from Rutgers University, New Jersey, notes this dynamic in his research. "The wellness industry is so appealing to people because there's a lot of problems with medicine," Allem explains. "There's a lot of problems with how one interacts with their physician, when they see their physician, what their physician is versed in to communicate." The podcast documents real-world consequences through the stories of Wang's followers who rejected conventional treatment for conditions including: breast cancer, melanoma, and HIV after hoping for cures through "energy healing". Allem highlights a particularly concerning wellness trend: "What I am seeing in the social media space is individuals claiming to have alternative ways to not just prevent a cancer diagnosis, but to cure a cancer diagnosis." Dr Emily Yang from Western Sydney University, who has trained in traditional Chinese medicine, warns against using unproven therapies as substitutes for evidence-based treatments: "For example I would never claim Tai Chi can treat cancer," she says, advocating instead for complementary approaches alongside conventional medicine. The podcast examines the psychological appeal of wellness gurus, with Baker noting that people often turn to such figures during tough times - an aspect she calls "situational vulnerability". "It could be the situation involving the death of a loved one or possibly divorce. A moment when one feels less stable. They're often searching for answers, for meaning." New Zealand cult expert Anke Richter identifies a clear warning sign in wellness practices: exclusivity. When practitioners insist their method is the only acceptable approach and discourage conventional medical treatment, it can have fatal consequences. "There's a quiet death toll," Richter explains. The podcast connects these modern wellness trends to the rise of figures such as Dr Joe Dispenza, who claims to cure cancer through "coherence healing" and has amassed 3.6 million Instagram followers. Allem warns listeners to be sceptical of practitioners who make expansive claims: "The wellness industry, broadly defined, is so appealing to people because there's a lot of problems with medicine. But that doesn't mean that wellness practices should replace proven treatments." Baker offers advice for those concerned about loved ones who may be falling under the influence of questionable wellness practitioners: "Don't cut them off. It's the worst thing you can do. Through maintaining a sense of common ground with these people, rather than just dismissing their belief system, you can help them see contradictions." For consumers navigating the wellness landscape, experts recommend maintaining open communication with conventional healthcare providers and being wary of any practitioner who suggests abandoning proven medical treatments entirely.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Matt Baker climbs pylon in Vale of Glamorgan for new show
Matt Baker, best known for presenting Countryfile and Blue Peter, scaled the structure near Aberthaw as part of the final episode of his More4 series, Matt Baker's British Isles. The episode, which aired on Tuesday, June 24, featured Mr Baker working alongside National Grid engineers as they carried out essential upgrades to transmission pylons on the South Wales coast. Gareth Davies, an overhead line engineer who mentored Mr Baker during the climb, said: "It was great to show Matt how our overhead lines teams operate, and talk him through what's involved. "We're proud of the work we do to keep power flowing safely around Wales and beyond, and hopefully, viewers of the show will be interested to learn what we do and how we do it. "We're always looking to bring in new talent to our overhead lines teams across the country. "Hopefully, this will encourage people to look to these roles as a career. "It's rewarding work, and there aren't many offices with such a good view." Before the climb, Mr Baker completed safety training at National Grid's centre in Eakring, Nottinghamshire, and a familiarisation climb on a de-energised pylon. He then joined the team in South Wales to observe the replacement of ceramic insulators with lighter polymeric versions. The upgrade work forms part of National Grid's wider investment plans. The company is planning to invest £35 billion in its transmission network across Wales and England between 2026 and 2031. The investment aims to support growing demand from data centres, gigafactories, and new electricity generation sources such as wind and solar. The National Grid team has since completed upgrades along the full route from Aberthaw to Cilfynydd substation, helping to futureproof the energy network in the region.
