FOOTBALL
Swanson signs with Lions
Former Arkansas center Travis Swanson signed his rookie contract with Detroit on Thursday after being taken in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Lions earlier this month. Swanson, one of 11 two-year team captains in Arkansas history, is thought to be the first Razorback to start the first 50 games of his career. The Lions consider Swanson to be the heir apparent to 36-year old Dominic Raiola, who has played 13 seasons in the NFL. Swanson said Raiola and the Lions’ offensive line, coached by former Razorback Jeremiah Washburn, have been welcoming. “They’ve been great,” he told reporters at the Lions’ mini-camp earlier this week. “It’s a family-type atmosphere in that O-line room and they make it clear as soon as you get here.” Swanson became the fourth and final Razorback taken in the 2014 draft to sign, following fifth-rounder Chris Smith with Jacksonville, and seventh-rounders Kiero Small with Seattle and Zach Hocker with Washington.
— Tom Murphy
TENNIS
State junior qualifying starts
The Arkansas Junior State Qualifying Tennis Tournament begins today at Burns Park Tennis Center in North Little Rock and Rebsamen Tennis Center in Little Rock. The tournament will be divided into age groups including 10-and-under, 12-and-under, 14-and-under, 16-and-under and 18-and-under. Play will begin at 4 p.m. today at Rebsamen and conclude Monday at Burns Park.
WRESTLING
Ozarks hires Zastrow as coach
The University of the Ozarks hired former Wartburg College assistant coach Jason Zastrow as its new wrestling coach. Zastrow, a native of Coon Rapids, Minn., was an assistant for the past three years at Wartburg, helping the Iowa coach win three consecutive NCAA Division III championships with a record of 56-1. Prior to Wartburg, he was an assistant coach at Division III Central College and was an assistant at Springdale Har-Ber for one year.
TRACK AND FIELD
Harding’s Zabrowska in 1,500 final
Harding’s Eva Zabrowska qualified for Saturday’s 1,500-meter final with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Division II championship in Allendale, Mich. Zabrowska finished in 4 minutes, 28.21 seconds.
SAU to renew programs
Southern Arkansas announced Thursday that it is going to revive its men’s track and women’s program after a four-year break. SAU President Dr. David F. Rankin and director of athletics Steve Browning made the announcement. “The resurgence of track and field provides a tremendous opportunity for current and future students at Southern Arkansas University,” said Rankin. Cross country coach Tim Servis will coach both programs.