LUNENBURG -- All coaches love balanced attacks.

Luckily for Nashoba Regional boys' outdoor track coach Jim Nosel, he's got a team dominated by balance.

The Chieftains, backed by several personal bests and impressive performances throughout the day, made it back-to-back Class B titles at the District E Class Meet Saturday afternoon at sunny Lunenburg High School.

"I'm happy to win our class, I really am. In the league we were undefeated, but at the same time, we haven't been turning in stellar performances in the last two or three weeks," Nosel said. "For the kids to come back today and all those PRs, that's huge for the team.

"Nashoba has always had a strong foundation on distance, but this is probably the first year in six that we've been balanced -- field events, distance, hurdles. That was the difference this year because we're a much more balanced team. Even those kids that balance out the team, they're scoring in the top six, so that's not too shabby."

Nashoba posted 93 total points for the Class B championship. Lunenburg followed in second with 62 points and Oakmont Regional was third with 55.

"Coming in here we knew it was going to be difficult to beat Nashoba because Nashoba is very good," Lunenburg coach Bob Truax said. "But I was happy with how we performed."

Just about everything went well for Nashoba, except another injury to 100-meter dash star John Ojukwu, who came up lame with a slightly pulled hamstring and didn't

"We'll probably rest him in the league meet on Wednesday and work him back into the district meet," said Nosel, adding it was Ojukwu's first time on the track in two weeks because of injury. "I'm not overly concerned about it, but his comeback routine is going to change a little bit in these two weeks. It's one of those things, 'We need you in two weeks, what do we have to do?'"

Senior Jair Cruikshank led a host of Nashoba first-place efforts with a victory in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 56.95 seconds.

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Nashoba wins boys' Class B crown

After having three personal bests on Thursday, sophomore Brittany Harrell continued her strong performance en route to her first Southeastern Conference win.

Harrell wrapped up her performance in the heptathlon on Friday with the long jump, javelin throw and 800 meters. The win was not only her first individual SEC title, but the 5,838 points Harrell earned was a school record as well, making her the indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon record holder for Florida.

Im incredibly proud of Brittany Harrell, coach Mike Holloway said. Its very satisfying when you see someone who works that hard have everything come together. Today was a total team effort and I have to credit our assistant coaches for preparing Brittany. Multi-events are really a collaborative effort and today showed that.

Continuing with the trend from Thursday, Harrell set a personal best in all three events today. Her biggest improvement came in the 800 meters. Her time of 2:14.37 was over four seconds quicker than her previous record set.

"My best event was the 800 because it was such a big PR for me, Harrell said. I've been working hard with all of my coaches, but especially on mid-distance. I've been putting great effort into it and everything just came together very well."

After Harrell got 10 points on the board for the women, thrower Jeremy Postin did the same for the men by winning the hammer throw. Junior David Triassi was also able to add some points to the board with a fifth place finish.

"We're the first points of the meet for the Gators and it's a big deal to be able to get those 14 points and step up for people who can't compete this weekend, Postin said. We're starting off strong for the Gators and that's a big deal for me."

Mark Parrish, Josh Izewski and Callie Cooper also gave both the men and women points to bring their totals to 23 and 15, respectively.

Despite having an overall good day, Florida did have some difficulty qualifying in the prelims. There were nine Gators who didnt qualify for Saturdays competition.

I think it was a great day on both sides for us, Holloway said. There were a few events where I wish we could have sneaked a few qualifiers in but this is the SEC, theres no sneaking in anywhere. Were going to put our cards on the table the next two days and see what we have.

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UF tack and field's Harrell claims first SEC heptathlon title

In the not-so-distant past, children looked mainly to their fathers for lessons on life outside the home, on how to succeed in business, politics and social organizations. Mom occupied the center of family life and guided us in personal relationships; the values she stressed empathy, kindness, fairness, collaboration didn't seem to guide a dog-eat-dog world.

But times change. Today, success in business often depends more on what our mothers traditionally taught us. In other words, male or female, many of the smartest, most creative and innovative among us are becoming more feminine.

The shift can be seen, in part, in the success of large companies that devote a lot of effort to understanding their customers. Target and Ford are big examples, but it can perhaps best be seen in the success of much-smaller concerns built from the ground up on shared values with their customers.

In the last year we have traveled the world to study companies that are profiting from what we call the feminine way of doing business. In London, we met the (male) founders of Whipcar, who connect private automobile owners with people who will pay to use a vehicle for a few hours or days. Whipcar screens and insures renters, but it's a business founded largely on trust. And it's growing like gangbusters.

In Lima, Peru, we met chef Gaston Acurio, who built a restaurant empire in 12 countries by adapting his mother's recipes and training workers in his own culinary school. Acurio's fame has stimulated an Andean food fad, aiding Peruvian farmers and wholesalers.

In Tokyo we found Motherhouse, maker and retailer of high-end jute and leather handbags and perhaps the ultimate example of the feminine business model.

Motherhouse's founder, Eriko Yamaguchi, wanted to find a way to permanently improve workers' lives in one of the world's poorest nations, Bangladesh. She discovered the country's jute industry and found a factory willing to work with her to combine her designs with its workforce, retrained to produce accessories that would be at home on the Ginza in Tokyo. With six shops in Japan and plans to expand, Motherhouse provides good wages and a safe factory for the workers Yamaguchi calls her firm's "creators." And her customers pay not just to help the poor but to get a bag they really want.

Such cases of "doing well by doing good" would be merely inspiring one-off examples if the world's consumers weren't moving in the same direction. The fact is, they are. As part of our research, we conducted a survey of 40,000 people selected to represent mainstream consumers in 13 countries that represent 75 percent of global gross domestic product. We found that people are weary of us-versus-them leadership and hungry for a kinder, gentler marketplace.

When we asked people to list the qualities they most want in their leaders, men and women both favored traits they termed "feminine" over those they considered "masculine," by better than 2 to 1. Among the highest-ranked were "communicative, reasonable, flexible and patient," which were all strongly associated with the feminine side of human nature.

Several trends in trade and technology support the rising importance of such traits in the marketplace. Social media, for example, make it harder for companies to get away with bad behavior. We're not saying manufacturers don't make shoddy products and service providers don't abuse customers. However, consumers have a much easier time sorting those they want to do business with from those they don't. And businesses that have found a better way have a much easier time telling their stories to the world.

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Mother's (Pay) Day: Businesses find success in adopting traditionally feminine values

AHMEDABAD, INDIA--(Marketwire -05/11/12)- A charismatic persona with immense optimism and composed demeanor is what defines Ms. Parul Thakur, General Manager, at Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad. Forthright in her approach, this soft spoken professional stands tall as the first female general manager in the hospitality industry in the state of Gujarat. Leading the team at one of the most prominent business hotels in Ahmedabad, Parul has brought with her the rich experience of over 12 years at various Marriott properties in the country.

Parul has been a part of the Marriott family since 2002. Before becoming general manager in July 2011, she was the director of operations for the Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel in 2010, director of sales & marketing - India for Marriott International in 2008, director of marketing for Renaissance Mumbai & MEA in 2007 and director of sales for Renaissance Mumbai in 2004.

She leads her team with a do-whatever-it-takes attitude which has taken Courtyard by Marriott to newer heights. Her passion towards work is the secret to her success. She proactively interacts with the guests and leaves no stone unturned to make sure they have a comfortable stay. Her eye for detail and ability to find innovative ways around challenges have made Courtyard by Marriott, Ahmedabad stand out amongst luxury hotels in Ahmedabad. Her mantra towards approaching any problem lies in looking over, under and around it.

Parul holds a Bachelor's of Commerce (Honors) from Delhi University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Sales & Marketing Management from NIS (Delhi). She started her career in hospitality with Hilton, New Delhi.

A mother of two, she believes in balancing work and personal life by planning all her post work time indulging in fun activities with her daughters and dining out with her husband at the various restaurants in Ahmedabad.

To Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad, Parul brings her rich experience of working in various prominent international hospitality brands. Parul believes a leader should walk the walk, talk the talk, be a good listener and have the ability to take success and failure with equanimity.

There are plenty of Ahmedabad hotel packages available this summer to meet the needs of any traveler. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a personal excursion, India is your destination! With Marriott's latest offer You Play, We Pay, guests are rewarded at all 14 locations in India. Simply spend 2-3 nights at a Marriott and earn credits you can use towards room upgrades, dining services, spa treatments or more. Act quickly because this limited time offer expires August 31. To learn more and book your summer vacation in India visit http://www.marriott.com/specials/mesOffer.mi?marrOfferId=754615&displayLink=true.

Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA with more than 3,700 properties in 73 countries and territories and reported revenues of over $12 billion in fiscal year 2011. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. There are approximately 300,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties. Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at http://www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit http://www.marriottnewscenter.com.

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General Manager Ms. Parul Thakur Is the Key to Success at Luxury Hotels in Ahmedabad

After the first day of the SEC Championships, Georgia has two men in the top-5 of the decathlon andone Lady Bulldog in the womens heptathlon, Lucie Ondraschkova, who currently sits in eighth place.

Ondraschkova began her day with a season-best in the 100-meter hurdles, where she clocked a 14.35, just .06 seconds behind her personal record.

WAYNE NORTON

The time had the Opava, Czech Republic native finishing eighth.

By the end of the day, however, Ondraschkova hadachieved a personal record in a separate event.

Ondraschkova finished the 200-meter dash in 25.56 seconds, also placing eighth.

The two eighth-place finishes came outside of a seventh place finish in the high jump and a sixth place finish in the shot put.

The 36 feet, 7.50 inch shot put was the second best of her career.

Ondraschkovas totals leave her with 3,083 total points, 372 pointsbehind Arkansas junior Makeba Alcide, who holds first place.

Lucie had some good things happen and a couple struggles, said Bulldog multi-events coach Petros Kyprianou. She started off with a strong 100 hurdles and ended with the best 200 time of her career. The thing about Lucie is that she is a gamer.

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Georgia’s track team finds early success in decathlon, heptathlon in SEC Championships

Fri, 11 May 16:29:00 2012

With the kind of timing publishers must dread, this month sees the release of Colin Shindler's latest memoir.

The author sold an awful lot of copies of his earlier tale, "Manchester United Ruined My Life", which was released well over a decade ago. It was a book which suggested that, in its rapacious, commercially-driven quest for monopoly, the Old Trafford operation was driving much of the joy out of football.

As a City supporter, Shindler might be expected to think that. But his tome was nicely argued, fluent and funny and found plenty who agreed with its critique of the rapacious red menace and all it stood for.

About time, you might think, for Shindler to cheer up a little. After all, this Sunday a City captain is poised to lift the English championship for only the second time in his lifetime. A championship title, moreover, which has been won at the glorious expense of the Salford beast. Just the right timing to publish a celebration of all things sky blue, you might think. Except Shindler's latest is called "Manchester City Ruined My Life."

In it he laments all the things that City have lost in their relentless pursuit of supremacy. Not just that old, traditional, comical ability to shoot themselves in the foot, but the sense of community, the sense of shared value, the sense that the players on the park are representing the regulars in the stand. The idea that they are all in it together.

What City always were, Shindler argues, was different from United. Now, he believes, that in their unrelenting desire to best their neighbours, they have become everything he loathed about the reds. In short they have ceased to be a football club and become a sporting corporation.

Quite what Shindler would have made of the revelation in the Telegraph this week that City had spent close to a billion pounds in pursuit of the prize is too late to include in his book. But not even United, the old buyers of trophies, can come close to that sort of outlay. Nor, with a bunch of parasitical American owners to satisfy, are they likely to in future.

And how Shindler must have winced when he watched television coverage of the Manc derby the other week. On the advertising hoardings around the Etihad pitch were not the usual commercial messages for Bet Fred or Carling lager. What there were instead were ads for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, holidays in the Emirates and the endless number of destinations offered by Etihad airlines.

What City, the cosy, oddball, local institution Shindler once loved, have become is something of a different order altogether. They have become the promotional vehicle for an entire nation.

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Premier League - Jim White: Has success come at a cost for City?

ARROYO GRANDE The Paso Robles High School swim team topped of an amazing 2012 season with peak performances at the Pac 7 League Championships this past weekend in Arroyo Grande as the Bearcats amassed 83 personal records over the course of three days of preliminaries and finals.

Nearly every swimmer on the team, J.V. and varsity included, earned a spot among the top 16 finishers at prelims to qualify for the league finals meet.

At the league finals, the varsity girls' medley relay team of Ryan Springer, Kylie Pugh, Sierra Mosely and Zoe Zepp kicked off the day with a CIF consideration time to finish fourth.

"The success was extremely contagious," PRHS swim coach Jennifer Brown said.

Next up, the varsity boy's medley relay team of Morgan Moore, Tyler Zepp, Collin Moore and J Young also earned CIF consideration as they crushed their time from prelims by six seconds to finish fifth overall.

"From there, the whole team just kept building momentum throughout the meet," Brown said.

The varsity Bearcat girls finished third as a team, an improvement from last year's sixth place finish.The varsity boys finished fourth to better last year's finish of fifth place.The PRHS swimmers also improved upon their CIF qualifying times from last season.In 2011, the Bearcats had two events qualify for CIF consideration, compared to the current season with 11 CIF consideration times, plus two CIF automatic times.

"It is truly astounding how many swimmers achieved their life-time best performances at League Finals," Brown said. "Coach Mara put together a perfect seasonal training plan that paid off, with swimmers reaching their peak at the exact right time."

Varsity girls

The top eight finals performances for the Bearcats in the varsity girls division came from Ryan Springer, Amanda Oliver, Sierra Mosely and Zoe Zepp.Springer eclipsed a five-year-old PAC 7 league record in the girls' 100 freestyle with a time of 54.28, but finished second to Teagan Griffith of San Luis Obispo.Springer was league champion in the girls 50 freestyle with a time of 24.92 and she earned CIF automatic qualifying times in both of her events.

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Swimming to success - Bearcat boys, girls amass 83 personal records

SAN FRANCISCO In revealing his support for same-sex marriage, President Barack Obama attributed his change in thinking to a series of key conversations and experiences. Talking to members of his staff and gay service members in committed relationships made it more difficult to justify why they should not have the right to marry, he said.

Just as influential in his thinking, according to Obama, were dinnertime conversations with his 13- and 10-year-old daughters, who have friends with two mothers or two fathers.

"It wouldnt dawn on them that somehow their friends parents would be treated differently," the president said. "It doesnt make sense to them and, frankly, thats the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective."

While separating the personal from the political is impossible in the presidents case, others who have moved in the same direction on the issue say they immediately recognized themselves in Obamas remarks. Once comfortably opposed, they found their views shifting as a result of sometimes uncomfortable dialogues taking place at churches, workplaces, soccer fields and statehouses.

"I had the same conversation with my daughter," New York Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, a Democrat representing the Manhattan suburbs in Westchester County. "My daughter told me, Mom, youre old fashioned. What difference does it make if people love each other? Everyone should have their rights. She really just totally disagreed with her mom."

Galef, 72, credits those talks with moving her from voting in 2009 against a bill that would have legalized same-sex unions in the state to voting for a similar bill two years later.

"My daughter, I think, really opened my eyes to the fact that I grew up in a different age and just made it so clear that I wasnt thinking like a more modern person on this topic," she said. "When the president said this, I could just relate to myself having gone through the whole scenario."

Before Obama became the first sitting president to endorse marriage rights for same-sex couples, other politicians had attributed changes of heart on the issue to having gay people leading comfortably conventional lives in their worlds. The leader of the Iowa Senate, Mike Gronstal, held back a constitutional amendment that would have banned gay marriage in his state in 2009 after his daughter changed his mind on the subject. Former Vice President Dick Cheney and San Diego Mayor Jerry Saunders also came out for same-sex marriage after learning their daughters were lesbians.

Gay rights activists have recognized for decades that having a close friend or family member who is gay was a powerful predictor of how Americans felt about gay rights issues. Now that marriage is high on the movements wish list, they have become even more convinced that sharing stories and common experiences will be key to its success.

"Pretty much everybody these days knows someone who is gay or lesbian, but it is knowing them well, or well enough to have a real conversation about why marriage matters to them, that moves people forward," Marc Solomon, the national campaign manager for Freedom to Marry, a New York-based group that advocates for same-sex marriage and actively encourages gay people to initiate discussions on the topic.

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Personal ties can change gay marriage attitudes

The Hockey News columnist Ken Campbell has a question why isnt Alex Ovechkin being lionized for sacrificing personal success for team success the way Steve Yzerman was in Detroit?

Campbell also has a theory:

This wouldnt have anything to do with a bias against Russians would it? Didnt think so.

We dont need to get into Ovechkins reduced ice time under Capitals coach Dale Hunter. If you still dont know the story there, just scroll PHT and youll find a few thousand posts on the topic.

But some of you might be less familiar with Yzermans career progression.

From a 2006 Sports Illustrated article, well let Red Wings GM Jim Devellano bring you up to speed.

We had some really good teams in the early 90s, but we couldnt get it done in the playoffs, said Devellano. So we brought Scotty Bowman in to get us over the hump in 1993. Up until then Stevie was a tremendous one-way player, which wed encouraged. In his early years we needed his goals and assists and, well, his glitz to sell tickets and to promote the team. Scotty didnt care about any of that. He was determined that players were going to play his way.

Sound familiar?

However, with all due respect to Campbell, thats where the comparisons stop. Because not only did Yzerman become a better two-way player, he became the best two-way player, winning the Selke Trophy in 2000.

To state the obvious, Ovechkins nowhere close to winning the Selke. He hardly sees the ice when the Capitals are trying to protect the lead, and he hasnt spent a single second killing penalties in the playoffs.

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PHT: Hold off on Ovechkin-to-Yzerman comparisons

Buy photos Anthony Redfern. (s)

DROITWICH Dolphinss Anthony Redfern produced a number of excellent swims when competing in the Midland Regional Youth Championships in Coventry.

Having set personal bests in the 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle events on the Saturday, he returned the following day to swim the 50m freestyle.

As his qualification time saw him entered behind 45 other swimmers in the 15-16 age group, hopes were just for a good swim and maybe a personal best.

Not only did he set his personal best, beating his old time by a massive 1.1 seconds, he qualified for the final in third place in a time of 26.09.

Disaster struck at the start of the final when his diving block broke, resulting in him finishing a distant last.

Once repaired, he was offered a reswim of the final and had to swim with only two other swimmers alongside him.

It was then testament to his guts and mental self control that he was able to recover and break his personal best again with a time of 25.88 which placed him fourth overall and quicker than all other 15-year-olds. His time was also a new junior club record.

The club are always on the lookout for new members, visit http://www.droitwichdophins.co.uk for more information.

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Swimming Redfern races to success