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Staff Writer

Sports writer and editor
UConn guard Azzi Fudd, back, goes to the basket against Georgetown forward Cristen Carter (24) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Azzi Fudd plays in front of hometown fans for last time in UConn uniform: ‘I feel very loved’
Azzi Fudd was swarmed by fans seeking selfies and autographs as she walked off the court at the Washington Mystics’ home arena.
 
UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) shoots against Georgetown guard Khia Miller, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Sarah Strong, Azzi Fudd and top-ranked UConn roll past Georgetown 83-42
Sarah Strong scored 25 points, Azzi Fudd had 19 in her final collegiate appearance before a hometown crowd, and top-ranked UConn overwhelmed Georgetown 83-42.
 
Washington Wizards guard CJ McCollum (3) shoots against Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson (11) Washington Wizards guard CJ McCollum (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
CJ McCollum steadies Wizards in 4th quarter of 120-112 win over Magic
CJ McCollum scored 27 points and steadied the Wizards after they nearly blew a 26-point lead as Washington held on for a 120-112 victory over the Orlando Magic.
 
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) is out while attempting to steal second base against Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, second from right, during the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
James Wood hits a 3-run homer and the Nationals beat the banged-up Mets 9-3 to win series
James Wood broke out of a slump with a three-run homer, and the last-place Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 9-3.
 
New York Mets' Juan Soto walks back to the dugout after he struck out during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Juan Soto says the struggling Mets are still a playoff team: ‘We believe in each other’
Juan Soto believes the Mets are “100 percent” a playoff team, but a postseason run looks iffy at best for the most expensive roster in the major leagues.
 
New York Mets' Juan Soto walks back to the dugout after he struck out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Josh Bell’s homer, rookie Cole Henry’s clutch relief help Nationals beat Mets 5-4
Josh Bell homered and drove in two runs, rookie reliever Cole Henry pitched out of a jam in the sixth inning and the Washington Nationals held on to beat the Mets 5-4, ending New York’s three-game winning streak.
 
New York Mets Brandon Nimmo hits a RBI single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Mets’ Brandon Nimmo removed from game at Washington after latest flare-up of chronic neck issue
New York Mets left fielder Brandon Nimmo says he had to leave Wednesday night’s game at Washington because his stiff neck made him a “detriment.”
 
New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
David Peterson dominates the Nationals and Mark Vientos homers again as the Mets win 8-1
David Peterson dominated the Nationals again, Mark Vientos homered for the second consecutive game and the New York Mets pounded Washington 8-1 for their third straight victory.
 
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, and Washington Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo meet at home plate to exchange lineup cards on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Washington. They are the first Venezuelan born managers to face each other in a major league baseball game. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Nats’ Cairo and Mets’ Mendoza become first Venezuelans to manage against each other in MLB
Miguel Cairo of the Washington Nationals and Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets are the first Venezuelans to manage against each other in the major leagues.
 
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez grimaces after being injured sliding into second during the seventh inning of the Little League Classic baseball game against the Seattle Mariners at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez needs surgery for thumb injury but will try to play through pain
Francisco Alvarez needs surgery for a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb. But New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza says there’s a chance the slugging catcher can play through the pain and help the team in the final weeks of the regular season.
 
Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Kyle Schwarber’s 43rd homer sends Phillies to 6-2 win over Nats. Closer Duran injured in 9th
Kyle Schwarber hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the seventh inning and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 to snap a three-game skid.
 
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jhoan Duran gets carted off of the field during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Phillies closer Jhoan Duran takes comebacker off his right ankle. Team says X-rays negative
Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran was driven off the field after he took a comebacker off the outer part of his right ankle in the ninth inning of a 6-2 victory at Washington.
 
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Michael Soroka throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Cubs add pitching depth with Michael Soroka, Andrew Kittredge
The Chicago Cubs bolstered their pitching staff ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline by adding right-handers Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals and Andrew Kittredge from the Baltimore Orioles.
 
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on during practice at NFL football minicamp, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers is ‘pretty sure’ the 2025 season will be his last in the NFL
Aaron Rodgers is “pretty sure” the 2025 season will be his last in the NFL. The 41-year-old quarterback signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh earlier this month after two injury-marred seasons with the New York Jets.
 
NCAA President Charlie Baker attends the organization's annual convention in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
Democrats criticize latest effort by Congress to regulate college sports as setback for athletes
The latest effort by Congress to regulate college sports is generating predictable partisan outrage.
 
College soccer player Lexi Drumm leaves federal court during a hearing for a landmark $2.8 billion settlement impacting NCAA college athletics on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, FIle)
Female athletes appeal landmark NCAA settlement, saying it violates federal antidiscrimination law
Eight female athletes have filed an appeal of a landmark NCAA antitrust settlement. They argue that women would not receive their fair share of $2.7 billion in back pay for athletes who were barred from making money off their name, image and likeness.
 
President Donald Trump, right, walks toward the Oval Office as he returns to the White House with Bryson DeChambeau, winner of the 2024 U.S. Open, after playing golf, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Bryson DeChambeau is back to competing, preparing for US Open title defense after ‘fun side quests’
As much as Bryson DeChambeau loves to practice and compete, the U.S. Open champion also appreciates the limited LIV Golf schedule that gives him time to pursue other interests.
 
Jose Luis Ballester, of Spain, watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file)
US Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain joins LIV Golf
U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester has joined LIV Golf and will make his professional debut this week at the Saudi-funded league’s Virginia event.
 
Faizan Zaki, 13, of Dallas, holds the trophy after winning the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Faizan Zaki overcomes a shocking, self-inflicted flub and wins the Scripps National Spelling Bee
Faizan Zaki has seized the title of best speller in the English language at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
 
Faizan Zaki, 13, of Dallas, reacts after spelling his word correctly during the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
National Spelling Bee runners-up rarely go on to win. But Faizan Zaki hopes to defy the odds
Faizan Zaki is hoping to do something that’s rarely been achieved in 100 years of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
 
Duaa Siyah Ouznali, 13, of San Diego, reacts after correctly spelling her word as she competes during the first preliminary round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
To win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, contenders must also master geography
There are times when the Scripps National Spelling Bee transforms into a geography bee. Scripps has begun relying on obscure geographical terms to winnow down the field of spellers in the later rounds.
 
Sarv Shailesh Dharavane, 11, of Tucker, Ga., reacts after spelling a word correctly in the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Scripps National Spelling Bee guide: How to watch, who the notable spellers are, rules and prizes
The best young spellers in the English language are competing at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
 
Katharine "Kerry" Close, 13, poses at home in Spring Lake, N.J., May 24, 2006. (AP Photo/Tim Larsen, File)
National Spelling Bee champions say it set them up for success: ‘You attain a level of mastery’
The Scripps National Spelling Bee celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and former champions say the bee has changed their lives for the better because it taught them they can do hard things.
 
Cleveland Guardians' Carlos Santana follows through for a three-run double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carlos Santana kick-starts Guardians’ 8-run 6th in 8-6 win over Nationals
Carlos Santana kick-started an eight-run sixth inning with a bases-clearing double, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Nationals 8-6 on Wednesday to win two of three at Washington in a 24-hour span.
 
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Michael Soroka throws during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Nationals’ Michael Soroka cruises through 5 vs. Guardians, then falls apart in return from IL
Michael Soroka came off the injured list and for five innings resembled the phenom who was an All-Star at age 21. Then it all fell apart in the sixth.
 
Bruhat Soma, of Tampa, Fla., and Faizan Zaki, of Allen, Texas, compete in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, file)
Scripps National Spelling Bee tweaks its rules to make ‘spell-off’ tiebreaker less likely
The Scripps National Spelling Bee won’t be so quick to force spellers into a lightning-round tiebreaker to decide a champion this year.
 
Bryson DeChambeau hits from the fairway on the 13th hole during the final round at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
After a wayward Sunday at the Masters, Bryson DeChambeau is ‘super excited’ about tweaking his gear
Bryson DeChambeau believed his game was in good enough shape to win the Masters. He certainly thought he could do it after he leapfrogged Rory McIlroy to take the lead two holes into thes final round Sunday.
 
Patrick Reed watches his tee shot on the fourth hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Patrick Reed and Ludvig Aberg make Saturday moves at the Masters. Justin Rose drops back
Patrick Reed and Ludvig Aberg made late Saturday moves at the Masters, while Justin Rose went in the opposite direction.
 
Scottie Scheffler celebrates after chipping in for birdie on the 12th hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Scottie Scheffler gets a break from an azalea, escapes a magnolia and trails by 3 at the Masters
Scottie Scheffler’s Masters title defense took some unusual detours into the flora surrounding Augusta National’s ryegrass fairways and bentgrass greens Friday.
 
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after chipping into the water on the 15th hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Rory McIlroy turns a promising start into another pedestrian opening round at the Masters
Two well-struck shots. Two big bounces over the green. That was all it took for Rory McIlroy to turn a superb opening round into another pedestrian start at the Masters.
 
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