Maria Quintero Riano had to grow up fast when at age 6 her father was deployed to Afghanistan and she became her mothers link to the English-speaking world in Texas, motivating the young girl to develop and passion for learning.

The family of four had immigrated from Columbia two years earlier, later her father joined the Army and several moves later was sent to Fort Carson, where he is a sergeant first class working in infantry managing artillery. Riano didnt initially realize what was happening when she saw her father and other soldiers line up near buses at a farewell ceremony before his deployment, only later figuring it out after seeing her mother and other military wives in tears.

A flood of emotion rushed over me when my dad hugged me and said, I will be back soon; you are in charge, Riano said her successful application for The Gazettes Best and Brightest scholarship.

Her mother cried and tried to hide it, but her frustration was apparent. She would sit in her room in silence at times reading the Bible or sometimes simply burst into tears at dinner time. Seeing my mother react in these ways confused me, but also motivated me to take initiative and help her as much as I could, especially with translating and practicing English.

That experience kindled her love of reading and writing and soon she would win first place in an annual reading competition. She began to write stories as an escape from the stress at home and her father would return after the one-year deployment. Riano continued to pour herself into her studies through moves to Hawaii and New York and became a top student before arriving at Fountain-Fort Carson High School about 2 years ago and compiling a 4.33 grade-point average.

At Fountain-Fort Carson, Riano played volleyball during her first three years and ran cross-country last fall, and she was also involved in student council, National Honor Society and DECA, a career education nonprofit. Through her work with student council, Riano learned about the Make-A-Wish Foundation during a conference and brought the program to her school to help a critically ill 7-year-old boy swim with dolphins in Florida in September.

We raised more than $20,000 for the foundation, which was enough to also grant the wishes of two other children, Riano said. I was touched by the presentation I heard on Make-A-Wish and I wanted to help make a difference in the lives of kids who have been through so much.

Mary Heisel, assistant principal at the Academy of Advanced Learning in Aurora who previously was student council adviser while at Fountain-Fort Carson High School, wrote in her letter of recommendation for Riano that she was blown away at her ability to take initiative and make things happen. Maria is remarkable, setting herself apart from other students with her mature perspective, attention to detail and her outstanding leadership ability.

The Fountain-Fort Carson High School senior plans to attend New York University in the fall, where she has received the Stern scholarship and will major in international finance. She said the international finance program will give her the opportunity to travel and interact and network with businesses and executives around the globe. She said she fell in love with the city for its diversity and opportunities for growth that will take me to a whole different level.

Before she leaves for college, she will see her father off on another deployment, this time to South Korea.

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Best and Brightest: Motivated scholar has international finance plans - Colorado Springs Gazette

PHOENIX From his birthplace of Queens, N.Y., to Connecticut, Michigan, Rhode Island, Ohio, Louisiana, California and gyms in between, Michael Malone has options to call home.

His choice: (Denver) is home for me and my family, Malone told me Saturday afternoon.

Winning an NBA title would bring all the perks money, fame, Nikola Jokic dancing in a parade.

But an understated motivation for the cosmopolitan Nuggets is to win Denver's first.

Their unstated mission: Do it for Denver.

Ive been here eight years now, as you know, Malone said prior to Sundays Game 4 against the Suns in a Western Conference seminal at Footprint Center. Denver leads the series 2-1.

Nitpick how he employs Michael Porter Jr. or his usage of timeouts, but Malone has one attribute that is beyond reproach: the 51-year-old New Yorker-turned-Coloradan gets Nuggets Nation. He desires to fill the void of a half-century without an NBA title. Malone feels you.

I remember my first year here and the fan turnout at Pepsi Center at that time was not where we would like it. I quickly learned that Denvers population is a very transient population (with) people moving in from all over.

"In order for us to make them diehard Nuggets fans we have to do our job putting a winning product on the floor and playing the right way, Malone said.

The elite eight of the NBA playoffs has six blue bloods engaged in a battle to further crowd their trophy cases. The Lakers, Celtics, Sixers, Heat, Knicks and Warriors combine for 49 NBA titles.

Forty. Nine. And each one has more than one.

Then there are the Nuggets and Suns in the Never Have I Ever series. Denver and Phoenixs title total: 0. Neither has won it all, which helps explain the electric atmospheres (and anxiety!) permeating through both Footprint Center and Ball Arena. If there were a louder environment than Phoenixs arena Friday on Cinco de Mayo, may I suggest ear plugs for hearings sake?

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker combined for 87 points in a riveting Suns 121-114 triumph.

I will say they are the two best scorers probably in the league right now, Jokic said afterward.

When Durant is the opponents second scoring option, you have a serious fight on your hands.

Booker is averaging 37 points per game in the postseason. Hes shooting 80 percent on corner 3-pointers, according to NBA University. Hes playing like he has a bone to pick with Colorado.

Its really hard to put a fire out, Malone said.

You can guess how the Nuggets spent their off day Saturday rereading the book on Booker.

The priorities for Game 4, the coach said: guarding Durant without fouling, guarding the Suns fast break and guarding Booker always. The Nuggets were betting underdogs in Game 3, a first since way back in the regular season. Phoenix again is the betting favorite in Game 4.

With work to do, the Nuggets desperately wish to be your first.

You look at the evolution of the team in the last eight years, especially the last five playoff years, and our fans have made the Nuggets a priority. Weve had one of the toughest places to play in the NBA. ... Being around these fans and getting to know them and feel them and appreciate them you always want to give back, Malone said.

Win Sunday, and the Nuggets can close out the Suns in Malones adopted hometown.

Winning a championship is obviously something that not only would mean the world not just to the coaches, players and organization but to Nuggets Nation. In Denver, in Colorado, around the country and around the world, Malone said.

Its been a long time, a long drought, so we want to be the team that changes that and puts the Nuggets on the map, he said. Our fans would be fully deserving of that opportunity.

***

Colorado stud of the week: Ryan McMahon, Rockies third baseman

He needs to turn into a stud, anyway, if the Rockies are to avoid an infamous fate.

The Denver Gazettes Danielle Allentuck believes the Rox are on the Road to 100 (losses). Colorado is 13-21, a win percentage of 38.2. A record of 62-100 would be 38.27.

So what must happen to avoid a century of heartache? Two things, at least, Danielle says.

The veterans in the lineup must make a leap from their slow starts and starting pitching must improve in a dramatic way. An everyday bat, McMahon is hitting .216 with a strikeout rate of nearly 40 percent, second-worst in MLB.

Pitching is another matter after opening day starter Germn Mrquez was lost for the season due to injury.

Its not going to get easier without Marquez, Danielle says.

The 2012 Rockies set the record with 98 losses.

Look out below.

***

Whats On Tap

Monday: Vinny Benedetto and I check back from Game 4 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Tuesday: Danielle Allentuck's weekly MLB Insider swings through as the Rockies swing down the east coast.

Wednesday: Analyzing the Avs, Kyle Fredrickson continues a weeklong review of the roster.

Thursday: Chris Schmaedeke interviews Valor Christians Wyndham Clark in the Golf Insider.

Friday-Sunday: Beat writer Chris Tomasson pesters Sean Payton about Broncos workouts.

***

Just one question

Do Avs fans feel any better now that the Kraken are giving the Stars a hard time in Round 2?

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Klee's Corner: The Nuggets' secret motivation: 'We want to be the team' that wins Denver's first NBA title - The Denver Gazette

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Undoubtedly, one of the biggest names in show business today is Dwayne The Rock Johnson, but he admitted in an interview that becoming a a major movie star was never his goal.

Joining The Pivot Podcast for an interview released this afternoon, The Rock told Ryan Clark about what actually motivated his eventual fame.

In case Ryan Clarks name doesnt sound familiar, well, he was an outstanding NFL player and Super Bowl champion who, when he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, earned a reputation for being such a hard-hitting safety that, between him and Dwayne Johnson, its Clark that should really be the one nicknamed The Rock.

Clark and two other former fellow NFL stars, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor, along with executive producer Alicia Zubikowski, now run The Pivot Podcast, which is rapidly becoming one of the most popular podcasts available, usually having sports-related guests for open-yet-respectful discussions about a variety of topics.

Clark fielded a surprising answer after asking The Rock, Could you ever have imagined being where you are today?

No, never. My goal wasnt to be here in Hollywood making movies, The Rock answered. My goal was just to not be broke.

To further emphasize that this was his main motivation, Johnson reiterated more intensely, I used to tell myself specifically, I cannot be fu**ing broke!

Johnson went on to explain how when his dad, the famous wrestler Rocky Johnson, fell on hard times, they had to scrap just to get by. Rock even notes that his parents began cleaning houses for money just to make ends meet.

I dont want that for them, and I dont want that for my family, The Rock mentioned in regards to watching his parents go through such financial difficulty.

He also adds that a part of his motivation was not being drafted by any NFL team after he concluded his collegiate days playing for the Miami Hurricanes.

When he switched gears and went into the wrestling entertainment business of the WWE where both his father and grandfather made their living at one time he became more successful than both of them, then began making blockbuster films a decade into his wrestling career. The transition obviously proved fruitful for him and his family.

The Rock concluded that he never had the goal to make millions, but rather he just wanted to make more than seven bucks.

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The Rock Says 'I Cannot Be Broke!' While Explaining His Motivation - We Got This Covered

Bills WR Gabe Davis, Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson, Broncos OT Garett Bolles, and other former teammates joined Murray at the event to help promote the important cause.

"Kudos to those guys, really," Murray. "They have no ties to my hometown, Syracuse, whatsoever. But they are friends of mine, teammates of mine. It means a lot for them guys, especially in the offseason, to come back to little old Syracuse and help me make this event a special night."

The Gala was just a step in the right direction to getting the center up and running. Murray can't wait for the center to officially open and be filled with members of the Nedrow community.

"Still got some ways to go," Murray said. "We're making progress, still work to be done. This Gala will definitely create a lot of momentum for us to try and get us over that hump."

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'It's motivated me in every way' | Bills RB Latavius Murray to build ... - BuffaloBills.com

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Nitish Rana (1/7 & 51) never doubted senior all-rounder Andre Russells skills in spite of a slump in the ongoing 16th season of the Indian Premier League. Russell, who had been showcasing glimpses of his best throughout the season, finally managed to register an impactful match-winning performance in the recently concluded match against Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens.

If truth be told, Russells best is yet to come. However, him dominating in a 27-ball 54-run fifth wicket partnership alongside batter Rinku Singh (21*) was enough for Knight Riders to chase down a 180-run target in front of their home crowd to live another day in IPL 2023.

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Coming in to bat at No. 5 with 65 runs needed off 38 balls, Russell scored 42 (23) comprising three fours and sixes each before Singh scored the winning runs in his absence.

Into his first season as the captain of an IPL team, Rana played an instrumental role in motivating Russell knowing how he had it in him to win matches for the team. Russell, who has powered KKR to wins on more than one occasion per season, would want to go onward and upward after winning his first Player of the Match award of the season.

Ive been telling him from the last 8-9 matches Tu ek innings away hai [You are one innings away from playing at your best]. Considering his achievements, I wanted to make him believe this as a captain. He proved that tonight and earned us a couple of points, Rana told host broadcaster Star Sports Network during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Having laid emphasis on two points after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 5 runs last week, it is understandable as to why each point matters so much for Rana nowadays.

With five wins in 11 matches, Kolkata are currently at the fifth position on the points table but things appeared pretty bleak after they had lost six out of their first nine matches. Even though theres still a lot of work to be done, Rana and his men would be relieved to still be among contention for IPL 2023 playoffs.

In 11 innings with the bat in hand, Russell has scored 208 runs at an average and strike rate of 23.11 and 154.07 respectively to be Knight Riders fifth-highest run-scorer this season thus far.

As far as bowling is concerned, Russell has picked seven wickets across eight innings at an average of 22.85, an economy rate of 11.29 and a strike rate of 12.14 to be their third-highest wicket-taker.

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"Tu Ek Innings Away Hai": Nitish Rana's Everyday Motivation To ... - The Sportsrush

As Michigan became the latest program to extend a scholarship Wednesday morning, Barbara Curtis got a text from one of her son Jareds former youth coaches, Jayson Bybee. It read, He makes us all so proud but none of us are shocked. Hes always been the hardest worker on the team.

That hasn't changed now, even though Jared Curtis a 2026 prospect out of Nashville (Tenn.) Christian High might just be the best in America in his class. He has always loved the process and putting in the work.

He would always be outside, the elder Curtis said with a laugh. I have videos, hes always be outside working in the garage. Have a ladder in the front yard for footwork, My husband (Jesse) made a rope off the tree and knotted it for him to climb and build upper body strength. Net after net, hour after hour, wed make him come in at 10 p.m. Enough is enough.

Hes always worked hard.

That hard work is certainly paying off as the Wolverines join an offer list that already included two-time defending National Champion Georgia, fellow SEC powerhouse Alabama, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Florida State, Penn State, Mississippi State and of course local Vanderbilt whos scholarship in January kind of opened the floodgates.

An All-State selection and Mr. Football finalist as a freshman, Curtis threw for 2,766 yard and 34 touchdowns displaying easy arm talent, the ability to escape pressure and make plays and impressive anticipation with accuracy to all levels of the field.

Hes got the world by the tail right now, Nashville Christian head coach Jeff Brothers said.

His instincts are just for a guy that young for a little bit of experience is off the charts. Much of what he does nobody has more fun playing the game than he does and thats fun watch. Very natural mechanics, just a very gifted passer of the football and he has tremendous arm strength but at same time throws a very catchable ball. No matter the talent of the receiver or skill of the DB, he can zip a ball into a window and its not overwhelming for the guy to catch it.

Just the way he handles all the things are going on around him. Hes immensely talented, hes extremely humble and at the same time extremely confident which I appreciate. He remains true to his core values and beliefs which is impressive for 16-year old that (again) has the world by the tail right now.

Curtiss athletic career actually began in competitive cycling where at four-years old he was beating kids two and three years older than him. Hes played everything from basketball to wrestling and he currently works out with the track team, but football has his devotion and college coaches are buzzing about him behind the scenes on the trail.

Im telling you man, hes legit, Thomas Morris of QB Country in Nashville said. Never seen a freshman that big and strong before. Big, strong, physical kid. Already a man. Rocket launcher for an arm. Great stroke. Can move. Chance to be special. Has that little it factor.

Curtis has already been up to Alabama a couple times and over to Georgia, out to Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech among other places. A busy summer is scheduled with Texas locked in the first weekend of June. From there theyll return to Alabama and Georgia, get out to LSU with plans to also see Notre Dame and Ohio State.

Those are on our map in June for now, Barbara said.

With college coaches on the road right now recruiting, theyre making their way over to see Curtiss coach letting him know how much of a priority Jared is going to be the next several years.

Get offseason and recruiting intel on your favorite college team for $1 for first month.

He has the heart and tenacity to be that guy, Ramon Robinson of RR Elite Quarterback Academy said. I think a lot of people underestimate his size and athletic ability. His arm strength is up with some of the best quarterbacks in any class in the country right now.

I think what makes him special man is his whole work ethic, just able to learn and grasp the information to make his game better. Hes always willing to learn, calling and texting, very inquisitive about how he makes himself better in being the best Jared Curtis he can be. Thats the thing I love about him, the work ethic, everything he displays he wants to be better. Hes hungry and a sponge to make himself better.

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2025 DL Dilan Battle talks LSU offer and motivation to be great - 247Sports

Gustav Iden insists he is not motivated by the online haters who say he should stick to long distance triathlon.

The Norwegian superstar has secured two Ironman 70.3 world titles and an Ironman World Championship crown in a prolific yet young career.

Despite entering the sport via short course racing, he has enjoyed much less cruces and yet is opting to step back from the long stuff in a bid for glory at Paris Olympics next year.

Speaking to the Short Chute Show: Face-To-Face Podcast for Super League Triathlon, Iden admitted to reading online comments, but claimed most of them are stupid and that he is not motivated by a desire to prove people wrong.

He said: If I wanted an easy way out, I could just keep on doing Ironman and win every single world championship for the next 15 years. Thats a bit exaggerated, but I do enjoy the struggle to a certain degree.

I havent won every single short course race Ive ever done, but I feel like I have something that I havent shown yet and I really wanted to show it for myself. And Im not like a guy who wants to prove the haters wrong, but I do of course read the forums and the comments that say like, you should just take the long course racing.

But thats not what I want to do. I want to prove to myself what I can do. So its more like an ego thing.

I realise most people dont understand anything. Most people online, theyre so stupid. They dont understand triathlon, really. They might understand bits, but top performance triathlon is so different than just finishing an Ironman. And they dont understand also the level of short course racing. The amount of talent and hard training it requires now to win the World Series or Olympic games is insane.

SoI dont pay too much attention to the comments. I just have to realise that they have a normal life and a normal job, and they cannot dedicate their life to triathlon as I do. So of course they dont understand the sport at the same level as I do either.

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Gustav Iden: I Am Not Motivated By The Online Haters - Super League Triathlon

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is weighing in on street takeovers after more took place this past weekend, saying that part of the problem is the amount of money participants have the opportunity of making from the illegal activity.

The department says auto repair and tire shops get paid sometimes thousands of dollars, under the table, to stay open all hours of the night to service vehicles that are involved in street takeovers. "It's not going to stop. I'm 40 years old and they've been cruising Crenshaw since before I was born," said Jaaye Person-Lynn of Compton.

The department also says that people who record videos and post the takeovers online make money as well.

"Getting likes and retweets sharing that content from these illegal street takeovers are creating revenue for those participants. The spectators who are there recording and filming these acts are also making revenue and money out of these street takeovers, which is why it keeps happening," said Miguel Meza of the LASD.

The LASD says it has undercover detectives working with CHP and LAPD to stop the incidents in the future.

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Los Angeles County street takeovers keep happening because people make money off of them, sheriff's department says - KABC-TV

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) When the Rochester Knighthawks face the Buffalo Bandits in the first round of the NLL Playoffs, the pride of Western New York Lacrosse will be at stake.

The 7 p.m. tilt will be the third of the season, with each team beating the other during the regular season. Only this time, the winner moves on, and the losers season is over.

The Knighthawks come in after a horrendous loss to the Philadelphia Wings. Despite the final score of 14-11 looking close, Rochester once trailed by nine goals.

Its a bit of a reset after that last one, said head coach Mike Hasen. Playoffs is a new animal. Its a new beast. Its a new situation and I think the situation itself is enough motivation for these guys that theyre going to be ready to play this week.

This is the first time the Knighthawks have made it to the playoffs since their current franchise took shape in 2019.

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Rochester Knighthawks: Motivation high for playoff clash with ... - News10NBC

Colorados Jaylyn Sherrod (00) drives the ball past Dukes Shayeann Day-Wilson (30) during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Monday, March 20, 2023, in Durham, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B. DeBlaker)

There were a lot of factors involved with Jaylyn Sherrods decision on whether or not to return to the Colorado womens basketball team for a fifth and final season.

Attending the womens Final Four in Dallas just one week after she helped CU to its first Sweet 16 in 20 years may have sealed the deal, however.

It drove me and it also just showed me the capabilities and how opportunities like that come once in a lifetime, the Buffs point guard said. For me itll be my last go-round anyway so, yeah, it was a great atmosphere and for a player like me it just gets you hungry to want to experience it for yourself.

Sherrod and the Buffs werent far off this past year. Under the direction of head coach JR Payne, CU has dramatically improved over the past several years, with Sherrod being the catalyst. After ending a nine-year NCAA Tournament drought in 2022, the Buffs (25-9) won a game in the tourney for the first time in 20 years in 2023, and then won another. An 87-77 loss to eventual runner-up Iowa ended the run.

Last season was Sherrods fourth at CU, but the NCAA granted all players from the 2020-21 campaign an extra year of eligibility and she chose to take advantage of it.

Its a great opportunity, she said. This is another chance for me to go out there and do what I love and be with the people I love and play the game with a team that has pretty much become family to me. Im excited to see how next years gonna go.

Academically, the decision was a slam-dunk for Sherrod. She graduated with her bachelors degree in three years and then added a masters in organizational leadership this year. Coming back gives her an opportunity to obtain a second masters degree, either in forensics or criminology.

Sherrod has thoughts of coaching, but is also interested in criminology.

Im always thinking about whats next and always thinking about just putting myself in the best position to be successful in whatever I do, she said. I kind of wanted to do different things and both have been a huge interest of mine since I was a kid. I just like to give myself options so Im never just stuck on one thing and just different avenues to go.

While setting herself up for post-graduate success, Sherrod also isnt done on the court.

This past season, she averaged a career-best 11.3 points per game and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. She was also on the Pac-12 all-defensive team for the second time. She added career highs in total assists (167), steals (78), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.88), field goal percentage (.409) and 3-point percentage (.309).

Sherrod is one of only five players in CU history with at least 1,000 points (1,047), 450 assists (473) and 200 steals (201).

Adding to her individual totals doesnt matter much to Sherrod, though. Shes eager to make another NCAA Tournament run with almost the same core of players. CU returns four starters and eight of the 10 players from the rotation this past season. Each of the top five scorers are back.

Last year was a great year for us, Sherrod said. We took a huge step for the program, but I feel like theres so much more were capable of, what we can do, so I was like, why not come back to see if we can go even further? The goal is to go further and set new standards and set new achievements.

After CUs loss to Iowa, Sherrod took about a week off, but was right back in the gym after the Final Four.

You get out of shape faster than you get back in shape, so I like to keep moving, she said.

Sherrod has learned how to take care of her body, but said working on her body to stay healthy is her top priority this offseason. She also hopes to improve her shooting and leadership skills for a team that will welcome six newcomers.

Im excited, she said. Its a lot of new faces, a lot of new things, but we also got our core of veterans thats been here and thats been through it all, so Im really excited.

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Womens basketball: Jaylyn Sherrod motivated to help CU Buffs take next step forward - Longmont Times-Call