Dara Torres Named Swimming & Diving Coach at Boston College

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Dara Torres is diving into a new opportunity…

Boston College has hired the 57-year-old Cuban-American five-time Olympian as its swimming and diving coach to help the school rebuild the program after a hazing scandal.

Torres, a 12-time Olympic medalist and former world record-holder in three events, will coach both the men and women.

“From the moment we met with Dara, it was evident that she was exactly the fit we were looking for to begin a fresh, new chapter of Boston College swimming and diving,” BC athletic director Blake James said in a statement. “Her record as a world-class competitor is historic and her ability to clearly articulate her vision as a coach and leader will allow our student-athletes to develop and excel in and out of the pool.”

BC suspended the swimming and diving programs last fall after allegations that freshmen were coerced into binge drinking and told to wear plastic bags around their necks to catch the vomit. Head coach Joe Brinkman, diving coach Jack Lewis and two assistants were fired after the school found “a team culture that has failed to meet the expectations Boston College holds for its student-athletes.”

Torres was a 28-time All-American at Florida and was named the 1988 Southeastern Conference Female Athlete of the Year.

She held six world records and 10 American records in a career that spanned Olympics from 1984-2008, where she won four gold medals, four silver and four bronze.

Elvis Nolasco to Appear on HBO‘s Untitled Brad Ingelsby Task Force Project

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Elvis Nolasco last landed his next role…

The Dominican American actor will appear on HBO‘s Untitled Brad Ingelsby Task Force Project.

Nolasco, who starred in Godfather of Harlem, is among a roster of new recurring actors for the series that includes Raphael Sbarge, Mickey Sumner, Brian Goodman and Colin Bates.

Nolasco plays Freddy Frias, the savvy and ruthless captain of Philadelphia’s largest drug trafficking organization.

Others previously cast include Tom Pelphrey as Robbie; Emilia Jones as Maeve; Thuso Mbedu as Aleah; Raúl Castillo as Cliff; Jamie McShane as Perry; Sam Keeley as Jayson; Fabien Frankel as Anthony; Alison Oliver as Lizzie; Owen Teague as Peaches; Dominic Colón as Deric “Breaker,” and Levieva as Eryn.

A crime drama based on an original idea from Ingelsby, creator of hit HBO miniseries Mare of Easttown, the show is set in the working class suburbs outside of Philadelphia, where Ruffalo’s Tom heads a Task Force to put an end to a string of drug-house robberies led by an unsuspecting family man.

Ingelsby is writing the show and executive producing alongside Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (who also direct), R

Currently starring on MGM+’s Godfather of Harlem, Nolasco has also starred on ABC’s American Crime, recurring on All American, David Makes Man, She’s Gotta Have It, Claws and more.

In addition to Sundance drama Roxanne Roxanne, he’s been seen in such Spike Lee films as Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, Oldboy and Clockers.

Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra Wins LIV Golf Invitational-Bangkok

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra is this weekend’s big winner in Thailand…

The 22-year-old Spanish professional golfer and former top amateur shot a final-round 69 and won the LIV Golf Invitational-Bangkok by three strokes over Patrick Reed on Sunday.

Lopez-Chacarra had a three-round, 19-under total of 197 after the storm-delayed finish on the newly opened Stonehill Golf Club course north of Bangkok.

Reed shot a closing 67 while Paul Casey (65), Richard Bland (68) and Sihwan Kim (68) were tied for third, four shots behind Lopez-Chacarra.

Lopez-Chacarra, the ex-Oklahoma State player who turned professional to play on the LIV series, led after the second round and was among three who led after the first.

The two-time first-team All-American was No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking before he signed a three-year contract with the Saudi-backed LIV tour.

Lopez-Chacarra opened with a birdie but had back-to-back bogeys on his fourth and fifth holes to pull the field back to him. But those were his only bogeys of the tournament.

“Obviously I think I played great golf. I hit the ball great all week. I had two bogeys in 54 holes and my goal was to have zero,” he said. “But the course is in great condition so you can go low, but also I think I played really good. More birdies than bogeys. That will make it.”

The tour heads to Saudi Arabia for next week’s LIV Golf Invitational-Jeddah.

Matt Araiza Announces Plans to Enter 2022 NFL Draft

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Matt Araiza is entering the draft…

The 21-year-old Mexican American college football star, a punter for San Diego State and Ray Guy Award winner, has announced that he’ll be entering the 2022 NFL Draft after putting together one of the best punting seasons in college football history.

“These past four years have been a blessing,” Araiza wrote on Twitter. “Thank you to my family and friends for all the years of support. With gratitude, I am announcing my decision to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft.”

Araiza, who had one year left of eligibility, set the record for punting average in a season with 51.19 yards per punt. He holds the NCAA record of punts of 50 yards or more with 39 and the record for punts of 60 yards or more with 18. He also had two punts of 80 yards or more this season, including an 86-yarder.

Araiza is a former soccer player-turned kicker from San Diego who made the switch to football early in high school.

“When I made that transition, from soccer to football, it was because I wanted to be in the NFL,” Araiza told ESPN in November.

He said that he studies NFL kickers and models some of his approach after Jake Bailey, who currently kicks for the New England Patriots and has a similar background and body type to Araiza.

Araiza also was selected as a first-team All-American, which triggered bonuses for coach Brady Hoke and offensive coordinator Jeff Hecklinski.

IMDb TV Orders Shea Serrano’s Coming-of-Age Comedy “Primo” to Series

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a primo opportunity for Shea Serrano…

The 40-year-old Mexican American author/writer, journalist and former teacher’s coming-of-age comedy Primo with Mike Schur has been ordered to series at IMDb TV.

It’s the first greenlit project from a tranche of developments, including projects from All American showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll and CSI: New York star Melina Kanakaredes, that the Amazon-owned AVOD service unveiled at its NewFronts in May.

Primo (w/t) will air on IMDb TV in the U.S. and UK.

Based on the life of Basketball (and Other Things) author Serrano, the series follows a Mexican-American teenager balancing cultural norms, college aspirations, societal expectations and the hectic home life of being raised by his single mom and five uncles.

Serrano will write and executive-produce the single-camera comedy with Schur, The Good Place EP Morgan Sackett and David Miner. Primo is a Fremulon and 3 Arts production in association with Universal Television.

“Do you remember when the (San Antonio) Spurs won the 2014 title after having their hearts broken in the 2013 (NBA) Finals? That’s what I feel like right now. I couldn’t be happier, I couldn’t be prouder, I couldn’t be more thankful. Honestly, I still kind of can’t even believe that this is happening,” said Serrano.

“When I first met Shea Serrano, I personally guaranteed him that someday I would make him feel like the 2014 Spurs did after winning the NBA championship. I’m thrilled to have achieved my goal. And I’m doubly thrilled to work with him and IMDb TV on this hilarious and heartwarming show,” added Schur.

“It is a dream to be in business with these two incredible writers. Their individual talents have combined to make an insightful, relevant, and genuinely funny show. More than just making us laugh, these scripts simultaneously reminded us of the angst of adolescence, the dizzying magic of first love, how friends become family, and how family imprints us for life,” said Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi, co-heads of content and programming at IMDb TV. “IMDb TV’s commitment to telling broad, timely, and highly entertaining stories is perfectly illustrated in Primo, and we know the series will deeply resonate with our viewers.”

“We’re thrilled that our partners at IMDb TV have picked up Primo. This project has been a long time in the making, and we’re incredibly proud to see Shea’s memorable and funny experiences come to life on the small screen,” said Jim Donnelly, EVP, comedy development, Universal Television. “From his best-selling books to this new show, Shea’s storytelling will captivate audiences not unlike power forward Tim Duncan captivated Spurs fans from 1997-2016.”

Giselle Juarez Named Most Outstanding Player After Leading Oklahoma to Women’s College World Series Title

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Giselle Juarez has ended her college softball career in epic fashion…

The Latina athlete and Oklahoma Sooners star pitcher threw her second consecutive complete game, and Oklahoma beat Florida State 5-1 on Thursday for its fifth Women’s College World Series title.

The Sooners lacked a dominant pitcher heading into the series, but Juarez answered the call, allowing one run on two hits in the decisive Game 3.

Oklahoma won Game 2 6-2 behind Juarez, who went 5-0 at the World Series and was named Most Outstanding Player. The left-hander allowed four runs in 31 1/3 innings.

Juarez, a super senior, was a first-team NFCA All-American in 2019 but had surgery on her left arm last year and struggled to regain her form.

“The beginning of the season wasn’t great for me, but I just kept grinding and trusting God’s plan for myself. He had this moment planned for me,” Juarez said.

Much of the crowd stood when Juarez took the circle in the seventh inning. Fittingly, the final out was a popup into her glove.

“Honestly, I was kind of hoping it didn’t go in the sun and that they would let me catch it,” she said. “But I mean, it felt so slow motion, and then just to look up after I caught it and see [Kinzie] Hansen running at me — surreal, awesome moment.”

After Juarez secured the catch, teammates mobbed her and “Boomer Sooner” blared over the sound system as the crowd of 10,830 at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium — mostly Oklahoma fans — celebrated the win just 25 miles from campus.

It wasn’t easy for the top-seeded Sooners — they came out of the losers bracket after dropping a stunner to Odicci Alexander and unseeded James Madison in the tournament’s opening game. But Oklahoma beat James Madison twice in the semifinal round, then recovered from a loss to Florida State in the championship series opener.

Oklahoma (56-4) also won titles in 2000, 2013, 2016 and 2017, all under coach Patty Gasso. The Sooners set the Division I single-season record with 161 home runs this season.

“For them to find out what it feels like and what it takes to win it — the future is really, really bright for the Sooners,” Gasso said.

Alondra Delgado to Appear on Season 3 of the CW’s “All American”

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Alondra Delgado is an All American…

The Puerto Rican actress has landed a recurring role on the third season of the CW’s All American.

Season 2 found Spencer James (Daniel Ezra), now a football state champion, with a tough decision to make. Does he stay in Beverly Hills and play for Coach Billy Baker (Taye Diggs)? Or does he move back home to South L.A., reunite with his mother, Grace (Karimah Westbrook), brother, Dillon (Jalyn Hall), and play for his father, Corey (Chad Coleman), the new head coach for the South Crenshaw Chargers?

Delgado will play Vanessa Montes, the “new girl” at school and the new head coach’s daughter. Unapologetic and confident, she doesn’t let the extra attention that comes with being the new kid phase her. She has a surprising history with one of her classmates.

Delgado most recently has recurred on FX’s Mayans M.C. Her other credits include Vida and Easy Street.

Nick Gonzales: The Top Latino Pick in This Year’s MLB Draft

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Life’s the Pitts for Nick Gonzales…

The 21-year-old Latino baseball shortstop and second baseman for the New Mexico State Aggies was the No. 7 pick during the 2020 MLB draft.

Gonzalez, the first Latino pick in this year’s draft, was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“It’s just awesome,” Gonzales said. “I can’t explain it. This is something that I’ve put a lot of work into and I’m super fortunate it came.”

As a freshman at New Mexico State in 2018, Gonzales hit .347/.425/.596 with nine home runs and 36 RBI over 57 games. As a sophomore in 2019, he led the nation with a .432 batting average.He finished the season hitting .432/.532/.773 with 16 home runs and 80 RBI.

After the season, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League, where was named the MVP of the league.

Gonzales entered his junior year in 2020 as a top prospect for the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.

The 5-foot-11-inch Gonzales, an NCAA batting champion and unanimous All-American, will reportedly earn $5,432,400.

Anthony Robles’ Inspiring Story to Be Made Into Film

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Anthony Robles’ life story is headed to the big screen…

Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions has teamed up with 101 Studios on Unstoppable, a film that tells the inspiring story of the 31-year-old Latino wrestler.

Despite being born with only one leg to a single-parent family living on the wrong side of the tracks, Robles overcame every obstacle to become an undefeated collegiate wrestling star, three-time All-American, 2011 NCAA National Champion, two-time ESPY Award winner and a National Wrestling Hall of Famei nductee.

John Hindman wrote the script, based on Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion, a 2012 memoir Robles wrote with Austin Murphy.

“Words cannot express how honored I am to have my story made into a film. Because I was born missing my leg, my entire life I’ve had to deal with people having low expectations of me,” says Robles. “When I got into wrestling, most people thought it was impossible for me to become even an average wrestler. I’m hopeful that people who see Unstoppable will walk away believing that you should never let your challenges define you. If you have a goal, go after it with everything you’ve got. Nothing is impossible.”

“Our entire Seven Bucks team is passionate about sharing stories that inspire and resonate on a global scale. We’ve had an eye on Anthony’s story for a long time and have been deeply moved by his perseverance that proves nothing is impossible. The powerful themes of redemption and tackling life’s obstacles are very familiar to us, we are excited to bring this triumphant underdog story to life.

“Anthony’s story is really special and reveals the passion, determination and fearlessness needed to overcome challenges,” Seven Bucks’ Hiram Garcia added. “Investing in the right stories with universal appeal is a huge priority for us at Seven Bucks, but more importantly, we want to share stories like Anthony’s that motivate the world.”

David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios, said the company was “moved and inspired by Anthony’s triumphs on the mat, but—even more so—his triumphs of spirit and determination in his personal life. Unstoppable embodies the types of films that we want to bring to the screen: films that resonate universally because of their power to connect with audiences.”

The project will follow a fast track to production.

Gina Rodriguez Appears in the CW’s New Inclusion & Representation Campaign #CWOpenToAll

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Gina Rodriguez is representing the represented on The CW…

The network has launched #CWOpenToAll, a new on-air, digital, social and print campaign designed to reinforce the network’s commitment to inclusion and representation, featuring the 34-year-old Puerto Rican actress and Jane the Virgin star.

“We think this campaign really captures the spirit and mission of the CW and why our fans come to us,” said network president Mark Pedowitz. “We are committed to making sure our viewers see themselves represented on screen, and that we also have diverse voices being heard behind the camera.”

Pedowitz points out that 12 out of the CW’s 17 series this season are created and/or executive produced by women or people of color. Additionally, the network sees 47% women series regulars across its shows and 49% people of color series regulars.

“We are proud of the strides we’ve made and are continuing to make, and #CWOpenToAll reflects that, and helps drive the message that we want to be known as a place where all are welcome to be, and all are welcome to watch,” he continued.

#CWOpenToAll will feature a video component, with spots airing during the network’s primetime programming as well as being placed in house ad slots on cwtv.com, the CW and CW Seedapps and on social channels. There will also be a print portion of the campaign, which begins rolling out Monday in major market newspapers and industry trade publications. The message for both is that “the CW is a place for everyone, and all are welcome on-screen and in our audience.”

In addition to Rodriguez and her Jane the Virgincostars Jaime Camiland Justin Baldoni, who kicks off the video, other participating CW talent includes Riverdale’sCamila Mendes, Ashleigh Murrayand Casey Cott; Supernatural’s Jensen Acklesand Jared Padalecki; All American’s Daniel Ezra, Bre-Zand Taye Diggs; Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s Rachel Bloom and Vincent Rodriguez III, television’s first transgender superhero, Supergirl’s Nicole Maines, and The Flashhimself, Grant Gustin.

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