The Olympics were never something to which Chloe Dygert paid much attention, not when there were pick-up basketball games and a million other things on her mind while growing up near Indianapolis.Not even four years ago, when the London Games captured the worlds imagination.Dygert is a relative newcomer to bike racing. Not all that long ago, she was still focused on hoops and other more mainstream American sports, and the idea that she might someday compete for her country on two wheels amounted to -- well, a preposterous proposition.Honestly, it was never really something I watched, she said. I was always playing outside or doing something. I never watched TV. I knew about the Olympics but it never really interested me.It has her undivided attention these days.The 19-year-old Dygert is one of the sports bright young stars, sweeping the junior road race and time trial at last falls world championships. That showing piqued the interest of USA Cycling, and suddenly she was tapped to join its powerhouse womens pursuit squad for the Rio Games.After winning the world title in record time, theyre now the heavy favorites for Olympic gold.I havent had a lot of down time, Dygert said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.She has spent most of that splitting time between her trade team, Twenty16-Ridebiker, and her Olympic pursuits. But with the Rio Games soon approaching, her attention has shifted entirely to the track.Shes an absolutely incredible athlete, said Sarah Hammer, a two-time Olympic silver medalist and the elder stateswoman of the five-member pursuit squad. I have really never seen anyone like her, how talented she is. I dont even think she realizes how talented she is.Her father and brother introduced Dygert to cycling, but she didnt devote herself to it until injuries began to mount on the basketball court. Her breakthrough came in 2013, when she began to land on the podium in elite events, but it was followed by a major setback: She was persuaded to return to the hardwood in high school and wound up tearing her ACL, derailing her for an entire cycling season.It was her final foray into hoops.Dygert recovered in time to race a few events late in 2014, and that set her up for a big 2015. She won her two junior world titles in Virginia, then raced a couple of mountain bike events for Marian University, her college squad. Then came the invitation from USA Cycling.The womens pursuit team had won silver four years ago in London. It wanted gold in Rio.Cycling officials thought Dygert would be perfect to round out a squad anchored by Hammer that also includes workhorses Kelly Catlin, Jennifer Valente and Ruth Winder. And they were right, too, as they roared to the world record in March in their first major event.Chloe loves to go hard. Loves to smash it, Hammer said. But the cool thing is she has zero percent of an ego, and thats so refreshing. She can turn it off as soon as the effort is over.Hammer is hardly Dygerts only mentor. There is her fiance, Logan Owen, an up-and-coming rider in his own right. There are the coaches at USA Cycling, on the road and the track. And there are those involved in her trade team, including two-time Olympic time trial gold medalist Kristin Armstrong.Chloe is what youd call a natural talent, Armstrong said. She hasnt surprised our team but she has surprised the world, and this is just the beginning for her.Dygerts heart lies on the road, and one day she would love to represent the U.S. at an Olympics in that discipline. The speed, tactics and challenge of a longer, unpredictable and more glamorous race suits her style, rather than the short, all-out bursts of track cycling.But while she never watched the Summer Games growing up, Dygert now appreciates the magnitude of the event and her opportunity to compete for a medal at such a young age -- even if it is on the track.I see myself being a Kristin Armstrong, following in her footsteps, being a good all-around rider and a very good time trialist, she said. But I do enjoy the track, so its like, when the Olympics come around if I have the opportunity to do the track or time trial, Im definitely open to anything. Discount Under Armour Shoes . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Cheap Under Armour Shoes Online . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. http://www.cheapshoesunderarmour.com/ . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Wholesale Under Armour Shoes Paypal .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. Cheap Under Armour Shoes Free Shipping . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. LOS ANGELES -- Knuckleballer Steven Wright dazzled in a three-hit shutout, which was a perfect homecoming performance.The Torrance, California, native befuddled the Dodgers for nine innings, Mookie Betts had one of Bostons three homers and Sandy Leon drove in four runs to help the Red Sox cruise to a 9-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night with David Ortiz out of the lineup in an NL park.Wright was greeted with a big bear hug from Ortiz after he put the finishing touches on his first career shutout.Its definitely nice to do it in a homecoming, said Wright, whose mom, dad, sister, brother and wife were in attendance. Watching Dodgers games is what I did growing up. To have an opportunity to pitch here was fun. To be able to throw my first complete-game shutout was icing on the cake.Wright (13-5) had nine strikeouts in his third complete game this season. He retired 15 in a row during one stretch and won his fifth straight decision.Leon hit a two-run homer in the fourth. The switch-hitting catcher has had an outstanding summer, batting .467 in June and .355 in July.Travis Shaw also homered, connecting for the 14th time this season. This was a homecoming for him as well, since his dad, Jeff Shaw, was a former Dodgers closer and All-Star. The ball landed in the Red Sox bullpen and was already in his locker for safe keeping after the game.Rounding the bases was unbelievable, Shaw said. Ill remember that for a long time.Dodgers starter Scott Kazmir (9-5) has lost two straight since a 13-start unbeaten streak. He allowed four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.This game was all Boston and all Wright.I was just trying to go out there and establish your knuckleball for called strikes, Wright said. I think thats the biggest thing for knuckleballs. You want to show the hitters youre going for strikes and getting swings.Betts hit his 23rd of the year in the third, and Shaw, who replaced Dustin Pedroia in the lineup after Pedroia left the game with a left shin bruise, hit a solo homer in the eighth to give Boston a 5-0 lead.I do think that with a knuckleballer, a lot of righties have a little bit more success, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. I liked our guys against him, but its still a different visual. ... The ball was moving, changing speeds, eye level. He was doing everythhing he could to be effective.ddddddddddddOrtiz was on the field as the Dodgers honored him in a pregame ceremony. Legendary broadcaster Vin Scully narrated a video tribute while Ortiz stood with former teammates Nomar Garciaparra, Adrian Gonzalez and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.The Dodgers presented Ortiz with a $10,000 check to his foundation, The David Ortiz Childrens Fund. Gonzalez and his wife, Betsy, matched the donation.Ortiz is expected back in the lineup Saturday. Hell play first base.Pedroia was hit by Kazmirs pitch in the shin in the third inning and is day-to-day. X-Rays on his shin were negative.WELCOME TO TOWNNewly acquired outfielder Josh Reddick got his first taste of driving in Los Angeles traffic going to the stadium from Glendale, a Los Angeles suburb.For me it took four entrances and three wrong turns to get here, but I made it, Reddick said. Ill learn eventually.TRAINERS ROOMRed Sox: Ryan Hanigan was forced to leave Thursday nights game against the Mariners after taking a pitch off his left ankle. For Friday night, he was available only in the case of an emergency. Boston claimed Bryan Holaday off waivers from the Texas Rangers to solidify its catching corps.Dodgers: Ace Clayton Kershaw (back) and outfielder Trayce Thompson (lower back) will both be out until at least September. ... Bud Norris (mid-back strain) will be placed on the disabled list to make room for Ross Stripling, who will start in his place on Saturday.MINOR LEAGUE WATCHDodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has yet to report to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Roberts said he hadnt reported yet because hes still got some loose ends to tie up, but hell be there. When asked what those were, Roberts said: I dont know. Thats his business, right? Puig was told before the trade deadline that he would either be traded or sent to the minor leagues.UP NEXTRed Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.91 ERA) has a 2.63 ERA in four starts since being recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on July 16.Dodgers: RHP Ross Stripling (2-3, 4.14 ERA) gets his first start since May 19. He had a 1.54 ERA in four appearances as a reliever since and has also made five starts and one relief appearance in Triple-A. ' ' '