The bell of the Blue Zone stock exchange has rung again, meaning it's time to take a look at who is rising and falling with their performances for Blue Devil sports teams. Each week, the Blue Zone will look at whose stock is on the rise and whose stock has taken a hit from the week in the world of Duke athletics.
Bull Market—Trending Up
Marcus Stroman: The former Duke baseball standout is off to a fast start for a disappointing Toronto Blue Jays club, which came into the season expected to contend for the World Series after a trip to the ALCS last October. Regardless, Stroman is 4-0 in six starts after shutting down the Tampa Bay Rays' lineup with ease on his 25th birthday Sunday, allowing just one run in eight innings on the mound. The 5-foot-8 right-hander is currently second in the American League in innings pitched through the first month of the season. Stroman has had quite the start to his major league career, with a 19-6 career record for Toronto.
Women’s pole vault: At the track and field team’s last regular season meet, senior Megan Clark and sophomore Madison Heath finished in first and second place, respectively, in the pole vault competition at the famous Penn Relays last Thursday. Although harsh weather conditions kept them from posting personal bests, Clark cleared 13 feet, 9 1/4 inches and Heath was just behind her at 13 feet, 5 1/4 inches, with the third-place finisher more than six inches behind the dominant duo. The victory was Clark’s first at the event, and the team will now have about two weeks of rest before the ACC outdoor championships in Tallahassee, Fla., where the vaulters should have a better chance at breaking their career records.
Justise Winslow: The rookie had a decent game in a supporting role for the Miami Heat as they advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs after knocking off the Charlotte Hornets in a winner-take-all Game 7. For the second year in a row, Winslow’s squad eliminated Charlotte rookie and former Wisconsin star Frank Kaminsky from the postseason. But Winslow's on-court success is not the reason he is in the headlines right now. Late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game, a child escaped past security to give Winslow a hug before being chased off the court. Needless to say, the rookie is already beloved in South Beach.
Bear Market—Trending Down
Jeremy Cash: The reigning ACC defensive player of the year did not just slip during the NFL draft—he free-falled. After Cash was projected by some to be selected during the second day of the draft—which concluded with the end of the third round—the Miami, Fla., native did not hear his name called at all as four more rounds came and went on the draft's final day Saturday. The Carolina Panthers signed the versatile strong safety Sunday as an undrafted free agent. Instead of Cash, teams opted to select a long snapper, a few punters and kickers, a player who has not played tackle football since middle school and a prospect with the first name Prince Charles with their draft choices. Clearly, it was not the weekend Cash was hoping for.
Kevin Durant’s postgame interviews: After getting blown out 124-92 by LaMarcus Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs Saturday, Durant was asked to reflect on his emotions after the game. The superstar responded in quick fashion, saying, “I’m not telling you.” Some players like to be closely-guarded when it comes to media interviews, and Durant can definitely be added to the list. But the 6-foot-9 forward poured in 28 points as his Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back with a thrilling 98-97 victory on the road Monday night in Game 2 to even the series.
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