LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kirkwood Community College’s Taylor Nearad repeats as the Schutt Sports/NFCA Junior College National Player of the Year, announced the Association on Tuesday afternoon. Nearad collects her second straight honor after being selected the inaugural winner in 2016. 

The award was voted on by the members of the NFCA’s Junior College All-American and Coaching Staff of the Committees, which are comprised of NJCAA I, II & III, Cal JC and NWAC. 

A two-time NFCA First Team All-American, Nearad led the nation with 112 hits, 35 doubles and 106 runs. Additionally, she was third with a 1.014 slugging percentage, tied for fourth in home runs with 19 and sixth in RBI with 80. Hitting at a .516 clip, the Solon, Iowa native swept the Region XI Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

In 125 career games with the Eagles, Nearad hit .561 with 257 hits, 66 doubles, 19 triples, 49 home runs, 209 RBI and 220 runs scored. She slugged 1.109 and posted a .592 on-base percentage. She shattered the program’s career batting average and records by .63 points and 92 base knocks, respective, while also breaking the home run mark by four. 

Legal marijuana is about to become a reality in Canada. (Editor’s note: Marijuana was legalized in Canada on October 17th, 2018.)

The move could prove to be a sea change for local economies, policing efforts, governments, schools, workplaces — you name it.

But what about the U.S. border? What should Canadians know if they’re crossing over after marijuana is legalized?

To answer this question, HuffPost Canada reached out to Len Saunders, an attorney based in Blaine, Wash. who regularly works with clients barred or denied from entering the U.S. over marijuana-related issues.

Here are some of his tips for travellers crossing the border after weed becomes legal:

You most definitely cannot bring marijuana with you across the border

The federal government has made it abundantly clear that even though pot will be legal in Canada on Oct. 17, it is absolutely, totally, 100 per cent not allowed to be taken out of the country.

Even if you accidentally forgot some in your car, Saunders says, officers could slap you with a hefty fine and a lifetime ban from the U.S.

You can’t bring pot back from the U.S., either, even if you’re coming back from a state that has legalized it like Washington State or Colorado.

This also applies to medical marijuana.

If for some reason you do have cannabis with you or in your car — please don’t do this — while entering Canada or the U.S., declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency.

U.S. border guards are likely to ask Canadians more about pot once it’s legal

Right now, the only border states with Canada that have legalized pot for recreational use are Washington State, Alaska, Vermont and Maine.

Saunders says it’s likely that border officers at these crossings will be more keen to ask travellers about their pot use or involvement in cannabis. But once pot is legal everywhere in Canada, he noted, guards at every single border crossing could become extra vigilant.

Saunders said he expects a “tidal wave” of cases of Canadians getting barred over marijuana related issues.

Officers could pull you aside for more questions if you make them “suspicious”

The federal government says the U.S. has made it clear that it’s business as usual at the border when it comes to marijuana-related inspections.

Stevie O’Brien, chief of staff to Border Security Minister Bill Blair, told HuffPost Canada that U.S. officers might pull a traveller aside for further questioning if they’re given “reason to be suspicious.”

So, what constitutes a “reason” to be suspicious?

“When you approach that border, don’t give the Americans the reason to believe, either by the aroma or flicking something away as you approach the border, don’t give them a reason to believe there’s an offence,” Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told CTV in June.

You can still be banned from the U.S. if you admit to pot use or if you say you work in (legal) cannabis

You read that right. Just admitting to having used marijuana in the past could get you a lifetime ban from the U.S., Saunders said.

Even though some states have legalized it for recreational use, cannabis is still illegal in the eyes of the U.S. federal government.

“It won’t be a controlled substance in Canada, and it won’t be a controlled substance in many border states like Vermont and Washington State,” he said, “but it will be a controlled substance at that thin line … called the U.S. border.”

The Canadian government’s messaging on this so far is that travellers going south should always tell the truth if they’re asked about their pot use. But Saunders called that “dangerous” advice, since it can result in a lifetime ban that will require the traveller to use a waiver every time they want to enter the U.S. — and that costs a lot of time and a lot of money.

You can choose to not answer questions about pot

Saunders said he regularly advises people to refrain from answering questions about pot use at the border. Not answering the question might get you turned away, he said, but it at least helps you avoid being barred from the U.S., not to mention the torturously expensive and complicated process required to get a permit waiving the ban.

“In order to avoid a life-time bar … it’s better to just not answer that question. They can’t force you to answer that question,” he said.

“You can say ‘I don’t feel comfortable answering that question’ and withdraw your application [to enter].”

Saunders says officers might reject your entry and turn you back, but you won’t be barred.

“You can go back to the border at any point and try a re-entry. Most officers, once you go back, … are not going to pursue the marijuana thing. It’s not like every officer is zealously trying to get Canadians to admit to marijuana smoking.”

CLARIFICATION: A previous version of this story did not include Alaska in a list of border states with legal marijuana.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Coming off a second straight national title, Oklahoma is the unanimous No. 1 team in the final 2017 USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll. Collecting all 32 first-place votes the Sooners (61-9) swept Florida in a thrilling WCWS Championship Series to earn their fourth overall title and third in five years.

OU’s run to the championship started off on the wrong foot following a regional-opening defeat to North Dakota State. That would be their last postseason loss. The 10th-seeded Sooners won four elimination games, including pair over Tulsa in the regional final, to start a run of 11 consecutive victories. In the championship series, Oklahoma outlasted Florida, 7-5, in an epic 17-inning affair, the longest WCWS game in finals history, followed by a 5-4 nailbiter in game two. Prior to the series, the Sooners knocked off No. 15 seed Baylor (6-3), No. 6 seed Washington (3-1) and No. 3 seed Oregon (4-2).

National runner-up Florida is No. 2. The Gators (58-10) blanked No. 9 seed Texas A&M (8-0) and No. 13 seed LSU (7-0), before topping Washington (5-2) to reach its third championship series in four years. UF’s run featured two wins over RV Oklahoma State, including a 5-0 triumph in the Gainesville Regional “if necessary” game. The Gators rallied from an opening loss to No. 16 seed Alabama in the Super Regionals with 2-0 and 2-1 wins over the Crimson Tide.

National semifinalists Washington and Oregon finish ranked No. 3 and No. 4. The Huskies (50-14) put together a 7-2 postseason mark, sweeping through the Seattle Regional with victories over Montana (8-0) and Michigan (12-4, 4-2) and knocking off 11th-seeded Utah in a three-game Super Regional (10-4, 8-9, 2-1). At the WCWS, UW defeated Oregon (3-1) and No. 5 seed UCLA (1-0). The Ducks (54-8) won their first five games in route to the WCWS. Oregon trumped UIC (13-0) and Wisconsin (6-5 in 8 inn. / 9-0) in regionals and swept 14th-seed Kentucky in supers. After falling to Washington, the Ducks won two elimination games over Baylor (7-4) ad LSU (4-1) to reach the semifinals.

A pair of 48-win programs, UCLA and LSU, come in at No. 5 and 6. The Bruins (48-15) cruised through regionals with three eight-run victories over Lehigh (8-0), San Jose State (10-2) and Cal State Fullerton (9-1). They were tested in Super Regionals by No. 12 seed Ole Miss, edging the Rebels in a pair of one-run contests (8-7 in 11 inn./1-0). UCLA went 1-2 at the WCWS, picking up a win over Texas A&M. The Tigers (48-22) had to win three straight elimination games, the final to over Louisiana, to get out of the Baton Rouge Regional. Faced with similar odds at No. 4 seed Florida State in the Super Regionals, LSU bounced back from a game one defeat (1-3), to win two close games on the road (1-0, 6-4) against the Seminoles. The Tigers would open the WCWS with a win over UCLA before dropping their next two contest. 

The final two WCWS participants hail from the Lone Star State as Baylor and Texas A&M are ranked No. 7 and No. 8. The Bears (48-15) survived a very tough Waco Regional thanks in large part to Gia Rodoni, who tossed a pair of no-hitters in 1-0 victories over Kent State and then-No. 11 James Madison. Following the regional sweep, Baylor faced off against No. 2 seeded Arizona in Tucson, which featured three tightly contested affairs. After a 3-2 walk-off defeat in game one, the Bears rallied from a deficit in each of the final two contests to shock the Wildcats (6-4, 6-5) and advance to the WCWS. After a three-game regional sweep, the Aggies (47-13) bounced back from a Super Regional-opening loss at No. 8 seed Tennessee with a pair of close wins over the Volunteers (6-5, 5-3). In their first WCWS appearance since 2008, Texas A&M fell to Florida and UCLA. 

Rounding out the top-10 is a pair of Super Regional participants, Arizona and Florida State. The Wildcats (52-9) rolled through regionals before falling to a “never say die” Baylor squad in the supers. The Seminoles (55-8) also swept through regionals and were upended by LSU in the Super Regionals.

Super Regional participants, Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Utah and Ole Miss, along with Minnesota make up 11 through 16.

The 2017 USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by 32 NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference.  

2017 USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll
Final – June 12, 2017

 

Rank Team Totals 2017 Record Last Poll     1 Oklahoma 800 61-9 6   2 Florida 768 58-10 2   3 Washington 718 50-14 7   4 Oregon 707 54-8 3   5 UCLA 670 48-15 9   6 LSU 630 48-22 18   7 Baylor 594 48-15 17   8 Texas A&M 572 47-13 12   9 Arizona 528 52-9 5   10 Florida State 513 55-8 4   11 Tennessee 442 48-12 10   12 Alabama 431 46-18 15   13 Auburn 420 49-12 8   14 Utah 379 37-16 16   15 Minnesota 371 56-5 1   16 Ole Miss 362 43-20 13   17 Kentucky 303 39-19 19   18 James Madison 246 52-8 11   19 Louisiana 219 47-8 14   20 Michigan 191 43-13 20   21 BYU 159 46-13 21   22 Tulsa 106 41-17 23   23 Arizona State 80 31-22 22   24 Marshall 45 42-12 RV   25 Georgia 32 35-23 25     South Carolina 32 34-25 24                      

 

Dropped Out: None 

New to Poll: No. 24 Marshall

Receiving Votes: California (24), Oklahoma State (19), Wisconsin (11), North Dakota State (5), Arkansas (4), USC Upstate (4), Illinois (4), Mississippi State (4), Florida International (2), Texas State (2), Cal State Fullerton (2), Oregon State (1).

The USA Today/NFCA Division I Coaches Poll is voted on by 32 NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference.   

— Images courtesy of Ty Russell

Oh, Christmas tree!

For many Canadians, selecting and cutting down the perfect tree is a cherished holiday tradition. The tree becomes a backdrop for the season, and conjures up festive memories with its scent and twinkly lights.

There are plenty of choose-and-cut tree farms in every Canadian province, but for those who want to try tree hunting, à la Griswold family, and head out onto public land to collect their conifer, the legality of doing so varies across Canada. No two provinces have the same process and guidelines for cutting down a Christmas tree.

The most wonderful time of the year is creeping up — and so are your stress levels, probably — so we’ve done the research. Here’s what you need to know in each province about foraging for your own Christmas tree:

Newfoundland and Labrador

A permit is not required to cut down a tree on Crown land, but the provincial government asks that foragers keep several things in mind before sawing begins.

Under the “Cutting of Timber Regulations,” it is illegal to cut any tree within 102 metres of the centre line of any highway, cut any trees in a forest improvement or preservation area, or to cut down a large tree just to saw off the top for use as a Christmas tree.

The government also asks that residents carefully decide on a tree before any cutting begins, as it’s illegal to leave cut trees behind in the forest if there’s a change of heart.

Nova Scotia

There’s nothing illegal about cutting down your own tree in Nova Scotia, per se, but the provincial website warns that Nova Scotians should avoid heading into the woods with a saw: “you may be trespassing and stealing!”

Instead, the government recommends that Bluenosers head to a u-pick.

P.E.I.

Prince Edward Island does not have any rules in place making it illegal to cut down your own Christmas tree, but they don’t offer a permit either.

“We hope that anyone doing that activity would check with the landowner, first, if they’re looking at cutting on private land,” government spokesman Wayne MacKinnon told HuffPost Canada.

New Brunswick

In New Brunswick it’s up to an official to decide whether a tree cutting permit will be granted, based on where the applicant is planning to cut. This is done to keep people from taking trees from protected areas. Permit applications can be obtained from a district office of the Department of Energy and Resource Development.

Additionally, anyone interested in gathering balsam fir branches to create wreaths and holiday centrepieces must pay $20 for a tipping permit.

Planning to cut down your own tree this year? Watch these tips before you head out:

Quebec

Cutting down a tree in the wilderness is an absolute no-go in Quebec, where the practice has been banned in the Sustainable Forest Management Act. Offenders face a first-time fine of $300, which goes up for each re-offence.

Ontario

Cutting an tree from public land in Ontario may result in an all-out field trip, especially for those living in the southern part of the province.

The provincial government requires tree hunters to head north, specifically north of the French and Mattawa rivers, if they want to cut their own tree. The cutting of conifers is not permitted in the southern part of the province. Also, each Ontarian is allowed to cut only one tree for their own personal use.

A spokesperson for the government, however, told the Globe and Mail that they prefer people not forage their own tree, and buy from a Christmas tree vendor, instead.

Manitoba

Manitobans can help themselves to a tree on Crown land, but will need a permit to do so. The $5 permit allows the holder to cut down a tree less than three metres tall from a designated area.

Once the tree is cut, tree owners are not allowed to sell or barter it, nor can they give it away to another person.

Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan government does not require a permit for Christmas tree harvesting, but asks that chopped trees be under four meters tall and not be taken from a renewed area.

Alberta

Albertans who want to collect their own tree require a $5 foraging permit, which can be purchased from either the Sustainable Resource Development website or local website.

Permit holders can cut down as many as three trees under 2.5 metres in height in any approved area, but foragers are asked to avoid removing trees from viewpoints, turnouts, reclaimed sites and steep slopes where the trees help keep the soil in place.

British Columbia

There’s no charge to cut down your own tree in British Columbia, but a permit is required. Applicants must state where they intend to cut and are asked to not cut on private land or parks, from areas near water, or from plantations and research areas.

British Columbians can apply for their permit on the Natural Resources website, and the permit is good for 30 days from the date of application.

How to keep your Christmas tree fresh:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – NPFTV will be the primary outlet in 2017 for NPF regular season coverage. The digital platform, in its second season of existence, is poised to deliver all 120 regular season games live to NPF fans throughout the world.

 

NPFTV is a digital option and will be viewable on desktop computers, smart tv’s, and hand-held devices such as tablets and smart phones. The games can be accessed on those devices through league and team websites as well as the NPF app. 

 

“NPFTV is a vital initiative for the league due to the fact that it is the home of our number one asset – game action, both live and archived, of the most competitive level in existence in the sport of fastpitch softball,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “Creating, developing and continuing to build this destination is a commitment we are dedicated to. We have a lot of archived footage along with the addition of current season action, NPF conversation, and eventual original content that we know will be enjoyable and appreciated by softball fans throughout the world.”

 

NPFTV enters its second season in 2017 and the league has established several priorities including an improvement on overall production content, a more fan friendly landing page/portal for event selection, and the ongoing additions of past season’s game action, player interviews and behind the scenes footage.

 

“We continue to seek a true partner that is willing to commit to delivering the NPF product on a routine basis to the popular medium that is national television,” continued Kempf. “However, we also recognize the potential and exploding popularity of digital delivery, the viewing conveniences it offers, and the flexibility it gives us with our partners. Because of all those positives, we will continue to prioritize NPFTV.”

 

NPFTV is a subscription based digital platform with subscriptions available on a monthly or annual basis at $24.99 and $49.99 respectively.

 

In addition to subscriptions, NPF will again offer a game of the week at no charge. NPFTV will make its 2017 primary debut on April 24th with free live coverage of the 2017 NPF Draft Presented by 2XU. 

 

The NPF season opens on June 1, when the Chicago Bandits host the Akron Racers at The Ballpark at Rosemont. That opening game will be followed by the remaining 119 2017 NPF regular season contests, all featured on NPFTV. 

 

— Courtesy of NPF

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Despite suffering its first defeat of the season, Colorado Mesa enters its seventh consecutive week as the No. 1 team in the NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll. The Mavericks (37-1) had their program-record 37-game winning streak snapped in the final game of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series finale against Regis.

CMU received 13 first-place votes and 397 votes. The Mavericks took the first three games against the Rangers (7-1, 10-2, 4-1) before being held to their lowest run total of the season in a 4-1 defeat.

No. 2 North Georgia and No. 3 Chico State continued their winning ways with 4-0 weeks. The NightHawks (47-2) swept a non-conference doubleheader from then-RV University of Alabama in Huntsville (6-1, 2-1) and a Peach Belt twinbill at Georgia Southwestern (7-0, 13-5). They received three first-place votes (387) and have won 24 of their last 25 contests. The Wildcats (39-3), winners of 14 straight, came off a bye week and took all four California Collegiate Athletic Association games from then-No. 18 Sonoma State.

Southern Arkansas (38-4) moved up one position to No. 4 collecting six Great American Conference victories, including a four-game series sweep of then-RV Harding. In at No. 5 is North Alabama. The Lions (35-4), who have won 12 straight, had a light week due to weather, defeating Christian Brothers, 12-0.

Angelo State and Lenoir-Rhyne move into the No. 6 and No. 7 spots. The Rambelles (36-6) and Bears (40-5) enjoyed undefeated weeks in league play. ASU swept UT Permian Basin, while Lenoir-Rhyne triumphed in doubleheader sweeps of then-No. 23 Queens (N.C.) and Carson-Newman. The Bears have won 14 in-a-row and 30-of-their last 31.

Palm Beach Atlantic and Winona State tied for eighth. The Sailfish (28-5) fell four spots after dropping two-of-three against Tampa. The Warriors (31-5) went 3-1, which included two wins over then-RV Minnesota State.

Also joining the top-10 is Grand Valley State. The Lakers (29-5) currently own Division II’s longest active winning streak at 21 games after picking up six more victories last week.

New to the poll this week is No. 24 West Chester and No. 25 Georgia College. The Rams (28-9) have brushed off a slow start to win eight straight and 14 of their last 15 contests. The Bobcats (31-11) enter at No. 25. No. 18 Sonoma State and No. 23 Queens (N.C.) dropped out.

The 2018 NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the eight NCAA regions. Records reflect games played through April 15, 2018.

 

2018 NFCA Division II
Top 25 Coaches Poll – April 18 (Week 9)

Rank

Team

Points

Record

Previous

1

Colorado Mesa (13)

397

37-1

1

2

North Georgia (3)

387

47-2

2

3

Chico State

367

39-3

3

4

Southern Arkansas

350

38-4

5

5

North Alabama

334

35-4

8

6

Angelo State

311

36-6

9

7

Lenoir-Rhyne

287

40-5

11

8

Palm Beach Atlantic

267

28-5

4

8

Winona State

267

31-5

10

10

Grand Valley State

253

29-5

12

11

West Texas A&M

247

34-6

13

12

California Baptist

235

30-7

14

13

Dixie State

207

34-6

6

14

Texas A&M Commerce

200

35-5

7

15

West Florida

151

24-13

17

16

Augustana

145

26-8

21

17

Tarleton State

138

38-8

16

18

Illinois Springfield

132

30-11

25

19

Saint Leo

100

31-10

20

20

Indianapolis

89

31-11

15

21

Arkansas Tech

68

32-12

19

22

UC San Diego

64

25-12

24

23

UAH

54

28-12

22

24

West Chester

35

28-9

RV

25

Georgia College

30

31-11

 

 

New to Poll: No. 24 West Chester, No. 25 Georgia College

Dropped Out: No. 18 Sonoma State, No. 23 Queens (N.C.)

Receiving Votes: Merrimack (23), Sonoma State (14), Valdosta State (11), Embry-Riddle (9), Washburn (8), Colorado Christian (5), West Virginia Wesleyan (4), Concordia Irvine (3), St. Anselm (2), Minnesota Duluth (1).

The 2018 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the eight NCAA regionals. Records reflect games played through April 15, 2018.