ALANCEMendoza has two sons under 10 and an e | Forum

                                      HONOLULU -- Charging into violent waves at a Maui surf break known as Jaws, a group of women made history Friday as they competed for the first time in the World Surf Leagues big-wave surfing competition. Clyde Drexler Jersey .The female competitors paddled into mountains of turquoise water towering more than 30 feet, but the wind shifted at the start of the first heat, and several surfers were pummeled by an unexpected breaking wave.Women have pushed for years to be included in big-wave surfing competitions, while organizers of some contests argued that conditions at famous breaks such as Mavericks in California were too dangerous for women.That competition will include women for the first time this season after state regulators said they might refuse to grant a permit if women were not included. And for the World Surf League, which holds professional competitions around the globe, it has been a matter of getting enough participants to hold a womens event.Competitor Bianca Valenti, who has pushed for women to be included in professional big-wave surf contests, called the day a big step forward for women in the sport.Its the least we can do to speak to the election the other day, Valenti told The Associated Press in a phone interview before the competition, referring to Hillary Clintons defeat by President-elect Donald Trump.I watched Hillarys concession speech and what she was saying -- how important it was for women to really stand up now more than ever to break the glass ceiling -- and that really resonated a lot, Valenti added.There are 12 women and 24 men competing in separate events at the perilous Hawaii break, where competitors training regimes include building up the ability to hold their breath underwater for four minutes in case they are pinned under by crashing waves.Two women were taken to the hospital with knee injuries during Fridays first heat, and Valentis surfboard broke in half during the second heat when she wiped out on a wave.Paige Alms, a surfer from Hawaii, also had a few humbling wipeouts, but she won the competition.I still feel like its kind of a dream, but ah, I cant believe it, Alms told the World Surf League after her win. What a blessing to be out there with just a couple girls. That was special, for sure.The World Surf League only recently began holding a big-wave competition, spokesman Dave Prodan said. With a small window of time when conditions are right, its hard to accommodate a large group of men and women, he added.Women have for years and years been participating in the big-wave community, but probably only in recent years have you had a jump in participation to the point where you have that depth in the field to hold an event, Prodan said.In California, the renowned big-wave competition Titans of Mavericks agreed to include women for the first time this season, although it has not yet been held.This is really about paving the way for the future generations and creating opportunities for them, Valenti said. Just the importance of using our voice all the time and speaking up for what we want. Gary Trent Jr. Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Jusuf Nurkic Jersey . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. http://www.blazersteamofficial.com/Zach-Collins-Blazers-Jersey/ . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. NEW YORK -- Jessica Mendoza dissected Kyle Schwarbers swing in the World Series and took a brief break from Twitter during her historic first full season covering baseball for ESPN.Mendoza recently shuttled between Cleveland and Chicago for the Fall Classic, giving updates eight times a day for Baseball Tonight and Sports Center.She shared the booth this season on Sunday Night Baseball with Dan Shulman and Aaron Boone, a former player who moved up from Monday night games.Shes as good as anyone Ive ever met at getting in the clubhouse or around the cage and getting information out of players, coaches and managers, Shulman said.Mendoza replaced Curt Schilling last fall, becoming the first woman to call a nationally televised postseason game. The Saturday night dinners the trio shared during the 2016 season helped develop chemistry in the booth.I dont think it took long for us to feel comfortable, whether it was jabbing at each other or talking baseball, Mendoza said.Here are a few things to know about the 35-year-old Stanford graduate who batted .416 during her career, earned Olympic gold and silver medals and spent nine years covering college sports and softball for ESPN:BOOTHMATESHearing former MLB player John Kruk alongside her announcing the Womens College World Series made Mendoza realize how knowledge of one sport could translate to the other.Shulman called Mendozas work ethic and preparation for baseball games off the charts and said she has a great ability to break down a hitters swing.The Cubs Schwarber not only rocketed hits to the outfield after missing most of the season with a knee injury, but his walk in Game 1 against Andrew Miller with a runner on base and no outs in the seventh inning impressed Mendoza as the best at-bat of the game. It was the second walk Miller gave up to a left-handed hitter all season.Schwarber has an eye and a feel, hell have a feel for what a pitcher is going to throw and recognize when he doesnt, Mendoza said. You dont really see him sell out on a pitch and completely miss it. He misses, but its not like hes completely fooled.ARRIETA SPLITSMendoza worked out with Chicago pitcher Jake Arrieta on a Pilates machine for an ESPN segment ahead of Game 6. In her debut on Sunday Night Baseball last fall, Arrieta threw a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers. She noticed how fresh he seemed coming out for the eighth inning and wondered about his workout regimen. Arrieta showed off his flexibility during the interview, doing the splits and handstands while crediting Pilates for strengthening his hips, shoulders and back.WORK BALANCEMendoza has two sons under 10 and an ex-Marine husband who handles the parenting duties when shes away from their California home on tthe weekends. Anfernee Simons Jersey. She leaves Friday, has dinner with her boothmates on Saturday, announces the game on Sunday night and returns Monday. In