A short look back at sports in 2010

There were a few feel good sports stories in 2010. The New Orleans Saints won their first ever Super Bowl Championship giving hope to the city that is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Another feel good story is that of the U.S. Olympic hockey team that won silver and showed the world that we can play hockey too.

Some Quick hits: Alabama wins BCS Championship, Duke won the NCAA Tournament Championship, Phil Mickelson won the Masters, Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup, Los Angles Lakers win their 16th NBA Title,  Spain wins the soccer World Cup, Nadal wins the U.S. Open, San Fransico Giants win the World Series.

2010 saw the emergence of Saline County in the MLB. Cliff Lee continued his success as one of the leagues top pitchers. Cliff played for the Mariners and then was traded to the Rangers were he helped them to their first ever World Series. Cliff later signed with the Phillies and no doubt will look to get a World Series Ring in 2011. Another Saline County boy Travis Wood made his MLB debut for the Cincinnati Reds. He helped lead them to the post season.

2010 has been particular kind to some former Arkansas Razorbacks. Peyton Hills was traded to the Cleveland Browns where he became a stud at running back. Hillis was able to get the starting job because of injuries and he never looked back. He also became the first of the 3 backs that were drafted a few years ago to hit the 1000 yard mark. Darren McFadden also had that break out year he has been looking for. He also went over the 1000 yard mark this season. Felix has been a bright spot on a very underachieving Cowboy's team.

This football season for the Arkansas Razorbacks has been one to remember. The Hogs are a few bad calls away from being undefeated and most likely playing for their first National Championship since 1964. The Razorbacks instead have to settle for playing in their first ever BCS bowl in the Sugar Bowl. That game is Jan 4th 2011.

2010 was also good year for some of the other teams around Arkansas. UAPB made their first trip ever to the NCAA Tournament. They had to play their way in but were beat by eventual champion Duke in the first round. The UALR Lady Trojans had their greatest season ever this past season. The Trojans made the NCAA Womens tournament for the first time ever and beat Georgia Tech in the first round but then lost to Oklahoma in the second round. UCA had its first official season as a Division 1 football team.  2010 was also the last year of the Arkansas Diamonds. The Arkansas Travelers had a season to forget while the Northwest Arkansas Naturals won the Texas League Championship.

2011 is already off to a good start. In the coming days I will be doing a 2011 Preview of Sports.