This week in Toledo sports history: Going for the rings

Ryan McHugh, St. Francis and Miami University grad, swam at the Olympic trials in 2008.

This week in Blade sports 10 and 20 years ago, there were plenty of U.S. Olympic trials featuring athletes from the area. A DeVilbiss star found work in the NFL, a Patrick Henry coach retired after a state championship, and Bowling Green lost a successful coach. Oh, and finally, the Mud Hens ended a long losing skid.

■ June 18, 1998: Mud Hens end 7-game slide — The Mud Hens broke a seven-game losing streak, their longest such string this season, with a 6-3 win against Rochester at Skeldon Stadium. “The guys are happy, and we’re happy with the way we played,” Mud Hens manager Gene Roof said. “We had our opportunities and didn’t come through, but we kept battling.”

Patrick Henry baseball coach Greg Inselmann retired after the 2008 season after leading the Patriots to a state title.

■ June 19, 2008: Patrick Henry coach retires on top — Greg Inselmann has decided to go out on top. Inselmann, who guided the Patrick Henry baseball team to the Division IV state title this spring, announced his retirement. “I told my staff before this year began that it probably would be my last season,” he said.

■ June 20, 1998: Hooker runs at USA meet — Darian Hooker, the former Scott High and University of Toledo track star, failed to qualify for the 100-meter dash final at the USA Track & Field Championships in New Orleans. His time of 10.55 seconds placed him eighth in his heat, which was won by Brian Lewis (9.99).

■ June 21, 1998: Lincoln logs on with Giants — Jeremy Lincoln will soon begin another chapter in his pro football story when he begins training camp with the New York Giants. “It’s a new situation, but it’s a good situation,” the former DeVilbiss High standout said. The cornerback has also played for the Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, and Seattle Seahawks.

■ June 22, 2008: McHugh eyes Olympic berth — St. Francis de Sales alum Ryan McHugh is billing his trip to the U.S. Olympic swim trials this month as “one last chance to go fast.” McHugh, a Sylvania native who recently graduated from Miami University, will swim the 100-meter freestyle on July 2 in Omaha, Neb.

■ June 23, 2008: Colturi 9th at Olympic trials — David Colturi of Sylvania, a St. John’s Jesuit graduate, was ninth at the U.S. Olympic diving trials in Omaha, Neb. “I’m really just here to gain some experience and have some fun,” said Colturi, who earned All-America recognition last winter as a freshman at Purdue.

■ June 24, 1998: BGSU’s Clark heads for Dayton — Jaci Clark, who just led the Bowling Green State University women’s basketball team to its first postseason in four years, has been named the head coach at the University of Dayton. In her seven seasons with the Falcons, Clark went 135-65, including a 92-32 mark in Mid-American Conference play.

—Compiled by Tommy Gallagher