Sports briefs: MPSF recognizes a strong week by UCD’s Shumaker

UC Davis junior Anna Shumaker earned a share of Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Gymnast of the Week honors on Tuesday. She split the award with Air Force junior Jessica Hanner.

Shumaker, an Alameda native, won meet titles on both vault and the all-around in Friday’s home dual with Seattle Pacific. She tied her career high of 9.850 on vault and narrowly missed setting a personal record with her 38.850 all-around total.

The award marked the third time a UCD gymnast has claimed at least a share of the conference’s weekly award as senior Michelle Ho won it outright on Jan. 8, then was the co-honoree a week later.

The Aggies return to action on Feb. 10 for a quad meet at No. 4 UCLA with No. 25 Washington and rival Sacramento State.

UCD men’s basketball

The Aggies have announced a tip-off time of 1:30 p.m. for the BracketBusters contest against Northern Colorado set for Saturday, Feb. 23, at The Pavilion.

UCD’s opponent was announced Monday on ESPNU’s 2013 BracketBusters Selection Show.

Conley takes second

Former Aggie standout, current UCD assistant coach and 2012 Olympian Kim Conley, who runs for the Sacramento Running Association’s Elite Team, finished second at Saturday’s U.S. Cross Country Championships in St. Louis, earning a spot in the next month’s World Championships.

Conley ran with winner Shalane Flanagan for six of the eight kilometers before Flanagan pulled ahead in the final 2,000 meters to win the U.S. race in 25 minutes and 49 seconds. Conley crossing the line in 26:06.

“It was very fun to race Shalane for as long as I did as she is someone I have looked up to for many years,” said Conley, who joins the U.S. team heading to Bydgoszcz, Poland, for the world championships on March 24. “I laid everything I had out there but she was stronger over the final 2,000 meters. I’m thrilled to be a part of a great team going to Poland for the world championships.”

Conley, who used a training grant from the Sacramento Running Association to earn a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team in the women’s 5,000 meters, said she’s focused on becoming a world-class runner.

“Making the (Olympic) team had changed my mental approach,” said Conley, who was honored recently as the Athlete of the Year at the SRA’s Hall of Fame and Annual Achievement Awards dinner. “It’s a different approach in my training now that I know that I’ve made an Olympic team and it’s not a lofty dream to make a world championship team. I believe that I can be at that level instead of hoping I can be at that level.”

Football crab feed

Tickets still are available for the annual Davis Blue Devils Football Backers Crab Feed. The event is set for Saturday at the Veterans’ Memorial Center, 203 E. 14th St.

Tickets are $45 and may be obtained by contacting Rebecca Foster at oreo2250@yahoo.com or 916-402-1148.

Live and silent auctions highlight the local football program’s big fundraiser, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

The price of admission covers refreshments (including wine and beer for those over 21) and all-you-can-eat crab and pasta. In addition to the auctions, the Backers will have a multi-prized raffle.

Foster says raffle gifts are welcome and can be donated by contacting her. Backers will arrange to pick up the prizes.

UCD basketball camp

Registration is open now for the UC Davis men’s basketball program’s summer youth camp, designed for players ages 4 to 13.

Families can register for the camp, which runs from June 17 to 20, at https://ucdavissportscamps.com/mensbasketball.

The camp is broken down in two age-group levels, each of which will feature instruction from Aggie players and coaches.

The Gold Level, for boys and girls ages 4-7, is a half-day workout from 9 a.m. to noon. Campers will learn basic skills and participate in basketball-related games and activities. The cost is $110 ($95 for additional children in the same family) and bringing snacks and drinks is encouraged.

The all-day Blue Level camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is “open to any and all boys 8-13 years old and girls are welcome at parent’s discretion,” according to organizers.

This level focuses on skill training to improve the offensive aspect the athlete’s game. Instruction will emphasize fundamentals including shooting skills, ball-handling, passing, footwork, shot selection, rebounding and proper mental approach. In addition, live competitions will help campers successfully apply the techniques they learn during drills.

The cost for the Blue Level is $230 ($215 for additional children) with lunch included or $210 ($195) for those who bring their own lunch.