Digging Olympic ambition
Saylor: North Raleigh high schooler Katie Slay got a taste of the big time as a member of the 2008 USA Women's Junior National Volleyball Team, winning gold July 27 in the NORCECA Continental Championships in Saltillo, Mexico.
Horse-riding brings woman medals, joy
Saylor: A therapeutic horseback riding program in North Raleigh has transformed a young autistic woman's life.
Soccer, football? It's a kick
Saylor: Michael Cantrell has a new challenge waiting for him next month when he starts his senior year at North Raleigh Christian Academy.
A roller hockey champ
Saylor:Zach Tisdale was stumped as he debated his favorite position in roller hockey.
At the Olympic trials
Saylor:Geoffrey Sanders logged a 15th place ranking in the 400-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb., last week, and while he calls his brush with Olympic fame incredible, he's not letting up now.
Junior teams triumph
Saylor:A bid to the 2008 Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships is the icing on the cake in the Triangle Volleyball Club's best season ever.
Athletes prepare for trials
Saylor:Two North Raleigh swimmers who come from different walks of life share a single goal: to perform well at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials starting June 29 in Nebraska.
Fund named for coach
Saylor:If you played little league baseball in Raleigh in the 1970s, there was a pretty good chance that Hurley Raynor was your coach. He probably coached your siblings, and there's a decent chance he is coaching your own kids today.
Special athletes compete
Saylor:Three North Raleigh swimmers were among hundreds of athletes tasting Olympic glory during the state Special Olympics 2008 Summer Games last week.
Raptors reach nationals
Saylor:Mary Lindsay Boylan was 5 years old when she got hooked on basketball. She had seen how much fun her dad had playing with his buddies.
Seven Oaks team takes tennis trophy
Saylor:A week after coming out on top in the Triangle Tennis League's highest division, Carol Muth and her Seven Oaks team are still gasping for breath.
Teen gets national try-out
Saylor:Ryan Kelly's star is on the rise. The 6-foot, 9-inch power forward on the Ravenscroft basketball team is among 30 high school athletes invited to try out for a spot on the USA Basketball U18 National Team. A dozen will be chosen to travel to Argenti
Lacrosse team is on top
Saylor:Saint Raphael Catholic School is small but mighty in the sport of lacrosse, going 40-8 over its past three seasons, according to Coach Jim Elliott.
Master runners endure
Saylor:They call themselves the "Road Scholars."
N.C. gets into the mix
Saylor:Local fight clubs are finding a home court advantage in North Carolina, thanks to a new state law allowing mixed martial arts matches.
Plane pull a big hit
Saylor:Staci Powers never thought the women in her "Pirate Princesses" team could pull an airplane with their bare hands.
Golfers honor dear friend
Saylor:Ron Francis counts himself as one of the late Chris Bunn's biggest fans.
For girls, mission is possible
Saylor:Rachel Godown, 15, got hooked on rock climbing three years ago when she saw the opening scene from the movie "Mission Impossible II."
Runners prep for ultra race
Saylor:At 37, Jennifer Ennis is a bit young for running in the 2008 Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run this weekend in Umstead Park. The median age of the 250 registered runners is 47, according to Race Director Blake Norwood.
League is ready to roll
Saylor:The Carolina Roller Girls are getting ready to rumble. The season opener Saturday at Dorton Arena pits two strong hometown roller derby teams against each other -- the Trauma Queens and the Tai Chi-Tahs.
