Media
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was named the recipient of the Best Male Athlete at the 2018 ESPYS, becoming the first NHL player to win the award since the inaugural ESPYs in 1993. Ovechkin beat out Jose Altuve ( Houston Astros ), James Harden (Houston Rockets) and Tom Brady ( New England Patriots ). Following a 49-goal season, Ovechkin won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the NHL's top goal scorer for NHL-record seventh time. Ovechkin is tied with Bobby Hull for the most times a single player has led the NHL in goals in a season. This postseason, the Moscow, Russia, native captured his first Conn Smythe Trophy and became the first Russian player to captain a Stanley Cup champion. Ovechkin ranks first in franchise history in goals (607), points (1,122), power play goals (229), game-winning goals (102), overtime goals (22), shots (4,896) and multi-goal games (120). Additionally, since entering the NHL at the beginning of the 2005-06 season, Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (607), points (1,122), power-play goals (229), power play points (436), game-winning goals (102) and shots (4,896). Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals since 1998-99 and shots since the 1994-95 season despite beginning his NHL career in 2005. Ovechkin, 32, became the second player since the 1967-68 expansion era to lead the NHL in goals at the age of 32 or older (Phil Esposito led the NHL twice in goals just before his 33rd and 34th birthday). The Capitals were also finalists for the Best Team category. The ESPYs gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. ... The UMBC men's basketball team and wheelchair marathon champion Tatyana McFadden (Atholton) failed to bring home the big prizes among the finalists at ESPN's annual awards show Wednesday night.
College football
Bowie State selected No. 1in CIAA preseason rankings
Bowie State is the top-ranked team in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's predicted order of finish. Bowie's Lansana Sesay (wide receiver), Amir Hall (quarterback), Gene Carson (kicker), Derrick Tate (defensive lineman), Oluwaleke Ajenifuja (defensive lineman) and Will Flowers (punt returner) were named to the All-CIAA preseason team.
Stevenson: Mustangs senior quarterback Dan Williams is one of 169 nominees for the Allstate/American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team. To be in consideration by Allstate and the AFCA for a nomination, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing. Williams, a two-year team captain for the Mustangs, is a weekly volunteer at Baltimore's Mount Washington Children's Hospital.
ET CETERA
IronBirds plan celebrationof state sports all weekend
The Aberdeen IronBirds will host the first Maryland Sports Weekend at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium this weekend in honor and celebration of great moments in Maryland sports. On Friday, the IronBirds will celebrate team owner and Cal Ripken Jr. and recognize the 20th anniversary of the conclusion of his 2,632 consecutive-games-played streak. In addition to throwing out the game's ceremonial first pitch and addressing fans from the field, throughout the evening Ripken will share anecdotes, memories and thoughts from his career. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display. On Saturday, the club will recognize and honor the 1983 Orioles World Series championship team. The IronBirds will play in Orioles uniforms, and all fans will have the opportunity to pose for a photo with the 1983 World Series trophy. Throughout the evening, highlights and promotions from the 1983 season will be featured on the stadium's HD video board. On Sunday, the IronBirds and Ravens have teamed to host a preseason NFL pep rally. Fans can meet Ravens cheerleaders and team mascot Poe and members of the Ravens marching band will perform before and during the game. For details, go to IronBirdsBaseball.com or call 410-297-9292.
Men's lacrosse: Today's semifinal pairing for the Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship in Israel will pit the United States against Australia at 2 p.m. and the Iroquois Nationals against Canada at 11 a.m. Both games will be broadcast by ESPNU. In Wednesday's quarterfinals, Iroquois beat Puerto Rico, 14-7, and Australia defeated Israel, 9-6.
Laurel Park : In addition to a program of live racing featuring the 36th running of the $75,000 Twixt Stakes for fillies and mares 3 and up, Laurel will host its annual crab feast July 28. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the grandstand apron. Tickets for the feast are $66 per person if purchased before Saturday and $71 after that. . To purchase tickets, call 877-206-8042 or visit laurelpark.com/events/2018-07-28/crab-feast. First post time for the live racing program is 1:10 p.m.
Ocean Downs: Churchill Downs Inc. agreed to acquire the remaining 50 percent ownership of the Casino at Ocean Downs and Ocean Downs Racetrack in Berlin, owned by Saratoga Casino Holdings.
Women's soccer: Washington Spirit midfielder Rose Lavelle has been named to the 25-player U.S. women's national team training camp roster ahead of the 2018 Tournament of Nations.
— From Sun staff and news services