This Phelps guy sure can swim

Something tells me this isn't Michael Phelps' first time in a swimming pool. Did everybody watch the splendid swimmer Thursday night (Friday morning in Beijing ... I think)? The guy's incredible. Six events, six gold medals, six world records. Two more wins, and Phelps eclipses Mr. Mark Spitz, who took home seven golds at the 1972 Olympics. At this point in the week, who'd bet against Phelps? He swims Friday and Saturday in two events he's pretty much dominated.

Do I follow swimming? About as much as I follow team archery. But I can appreciate greatness. Tuesday evening, I watched one of the relays. Phelps went first, and the next three swimmers could have jumped in with a life vest and still held off the competition. By the fourth leg, the U.S. was out to such a commanding lead, NBC was forced to switch to a wider camera view to fully capture each athlete.

Needless to say, I'll be watching Phelps as he bids for an unprecedented eight gold medals these next two days.

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Speaking of the Olympics, I noticed a portion of the sailing competition was canceled Thursday. The reason? No wind. I nearly fell out of my chair when I read that in the AP agate. It makes so much sense, but still, that's good comedy.

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Check out Friday's paper for a piece on Kirtland Central quarterback Jeff Belin. The senior slinger has done an admirable job of learning new coach Charles Gleghorn's intricate, pass-first, second and third offense. The Broncos will run the spread this season, similar to what Brad Hirsch runs at Aztec. And with former Mayfield assistant Gary Bradley now at FHS, and Piedra Vista's ability to throw the football, it could be a fun fall in the Four Corners. Not that ground games are boring, but all that passing's just fun to watch.

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Finally, former Farmington High baseball standout Matt McGinley received a pair of prestigious awards recently. The center fielder, who is bound for New Mexico State, was voted to the District 7 First Team. I'm not 100-percent positive what District 7 encompasses, but it's roughly six Southwest states. I'll learn more Friday.

McGinley also was named New Mexicos' Prep Player of the Year by the Louisville company. That article will be in Saturday's paper.