Rockford High School senior Ericka VanderLende, one of the state’s premier distance runners, was a spectator for Sunday’s Bass Run in Crystal Falls.

Ericka was resting a minor injury that also kept her out of a recent race in Traverse City. Recruited by several top Division 1 colleges, she promises to run the “Bass” in 2019.

Ericka is the daughter of Forest Park graduate Ingrid (Peterson) and Greg VanderLende. Her grandparents are Dave and Arlene Peterson of Crystal Falls.

Ingrid’s longtime friend, Denise Maloney of Iron River, also watched the Bass Run. Denise’s nephew, MTU footballer and former Newberry High School great John Paramski, participated in the Bass Festival volleyball tournament …

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, on the powerful Golden State Warriors signing All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins: “It’s like you ask Santa for a bike, and he brings you a Harley.” …

Matt Bucklin, son of Tommy Izzo’s sister, Mary, has left Georgia for Clemson.

Bucklin will become the director of basketball operations at Clemson. He spent 10 years at Georgia as a player and staff member.

“You never like to lose good people and you never like the timing of it, especially when you’re going into a summer of recruiting,” said new Georgia Coach Tom Crean, who helped out Tommy at Michigan State before heading to Marquette …

From the Twitter parody account of Bill Murray: “If your plan A doesn’t work, don’t sweat it. The alphabet has 25 more letters.” …

Bruce Feldman, college football writer for The Athletic, listed Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor and Michigan defensive end Julius Welschof among the “gifted athletes” in the game.

Taylor ran a blazing 1.44 seconds in a 10-yard sprint during the off-season. Feldman notes that former Penn State star Saquon Barkley posted a 1.54 over the same distance.

Welschof, who hails from Germany, can walk on his hands for 50 yards …

Former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo sides with Brett Favre when it comes kids under age 12 playing tackle football.

“I don’t think there’s any reason to play tackle football at a young age,” Romo told Gary D’Amato of the Milwaukee JournalSentinel. “I just don’t believe you’re a better linebacker as a senior in high school because you tackled at age 8 and 9.” …

From the Washigton Post columnist and Fox News contributor Charles Krauthammer, written just days before his death: “I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life — full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended.”