The Seawanhaka Sports Rundown is a weekly roundup of five stories that examine developments in sports news at the local, state, national, and international levels.
By: OSCAR FOCK / NEWS EDITOR
Eagles and Chiefs Facing Off in historic Super Bowl LVII
Six days away from the biggest sporting event in the nation, the stage is set for an electrifying Super Bowl. After an impressive 14-3 record in the regular season and routing the plucky New York Giants and quarterback-less San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, Philadelphia Eagles fans are on top of the world. But now they face perhaps their toughest test yet: the Kansas City Chiefs. Led by the likely MVP of the league, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs won the no. 1 seed in the AFC before taking down the Jacksonville Jaguars in the divisional round and the Cincinnati Bengals in the championship game. This is the Eagles’ second Super Bowl in five years (beat the New England Patriots in 2017), while it is the Chiefs’ third trip to “the big game” in the last four seasons. The matchup is a historic one, too, as it is the first to feature two black starting quarterbacks.
LeBron James Approaches All-Time Scoring Record
LeBron James, 38, got a little closer Saturday to becoming the all-time scoring leader in NBA history. In the Los Angeles Lakers’ 131-126 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, James accounted for 27 points, meaning that he now only needs 36 more to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record. The record, 38,387 points, has stood for almost 39 years. Despite nearing 40, James is enjoying one of his best seasons in terms of scoring, averaging 30.1 points per game. Next up on the schedule for James and the Lakers are the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday and the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. The pursuit of the record has made ticket prices skyrocket, and an average ticket now goes for $1,614, according to Vivid Seats.
Manchester City Guilty of Financial Wrongdoings, Says Premier League
One of the most successful soccer teams of the last two decades, Manchester City in the Premier League, is being accused of not complying with several financial rules. In a statement from Premier League released Monday, the league alleges that the club, among other things, failed to provide “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position” between 2009 and 2018. This is not the first time the Abu-Dhabi-owned team has been under scrutiny for violating Financial Fair Play-rules. In 2020, the team was temporarily banned from European play after overstating sponsorship revenue and break-even information between 2012 and 2016.
LIU Swimming Celebrates Senior Day
It was senior day for the LIU swim teams on Saturday. Following the weekend meet against Wagner, which saw the men’s team win 150-110 and the women’s team lose 172-90, the ten last-semester students were honored by coaches and teammates. One of the graduates-to-be, Ella Johnson, also swam to victory in the 200-yard butterfly. However, a freshman stole the show for the Sharks. Emilio Garcia managed to both break the school record in 100-yard individual medley (as did junior Venna Andersen) and take the top spot in 50- and 100-yard freestyle.
LIU Women’s Bowling Improves record at Griffin Baker Classic
The Sharks enjoyed success not just in the water, but between the gutters, too, over the weekend. At the Griffin Baker Classic in Wilmington, Delaware, the LIU women’s bowling team won six matches over the two-day event, improving the team’s record to 23-29 on the season. Roberts Wesleyan, Felician, Holy Family, Caldwell, Chestnut Hill and Molloy all fell to the Sharks. Next, the team travels to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the SFA Sunshine State Classic.