Sports Stories

Mia Thompson, a 19-year-old wildcard from Ohio, rose from public courts and family sacrifice to reach the Wimbledon final. Now she faces the defending champion in a deciding set tiebreak, one point away from her first Grand Slam title.

Danny Russo, a freshman walk-on from Birmingham, never expected to start for Alabama. But when the star quarterback goes down with a season-ending injury, the fourth-stringer is thrust into the Iron Bowl against the number two team in the country.

The UCLA Bruins entered the NCAA women's volleyball tournament as a 10-seed, having lost their star player to a torn ACL mid-season. Led by senior setter Kelly Martinez, they've upset three higher-ranked teams to reach the final against defending champion Stanford.

Chloe Kim, a 17-year-old gymnast from San Diego and last-minute replacement on the U.S. team, has battled injuries and self-doubt to reach the World Championships all-around final. Now she faces the reigning champion on the balance beam, the event she's struggled with all week.

Jessica "Jesse" Parker grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where ice rinks were scarce, and learned to skate on a frozen pond in Minnesota. Now the 24-year-old captain leads the U.S. women's hockey team against arch-rival Canada in the Olympic gold medal game.

The Pineville Panthers haven't won a state basketball championship in forty-two years. Led by Coach Doc Reynolds and his unshakable belief in the process, the small Kentucky school has fought through early-season losses and doubters to reach the state final against the mighty Eastbrook Eagles.

After an academic fraud scandal suspends the entire coaching staff and voids last season's record, the Lincoln High basketball program is in ruins. New coach Lisa Chen and her assistant Marcus Thompson must rebuild the team's soul while a group of players fights to restore honor to their school.

The Oakwood Eagles have never won more than five games in a season. But new coach Maria Santos, a former UNC star, is teaching a group of losing players to believe in themselves. Now they've reached the regional championship, one game away from making history.

Emma Thompson, a 17-year-old high school junior born with a congenital limb deficiency, runs with a prosthetic blade. She has qualified to compete in the 400-meter dash against able-bodied athletes at the Illinois State Track Championships, becoming the first adaptive athlete to reach the finals.

Michael Rodriguez, a 23-year-old pitcher from Chicago's south side, was a 15th-round draft pick who worked his way up from junior college to Triple-A. Now, in his first major league start at Wrigley Field, he's facing the St. Louis Cardinals with something special brewing.

Sarah Miller was a child swimming prodigy whose career was derailed by a near-drowning accident that left her with severe aquaphobia. After years of therapy and gradual exposure, she has fought her way back to the pool and qualified for the U.S. Open Championships in the 100-meter butterfly.

Tom Brady, at 43, has been written off by analysts who say he's too old. But the legendary quarterback has transformed his body and game, leading the Patriots back to the AFC Championship. Now he faces the Kansas City Chiefs with a Super Bowl berth on the line.

Carlos Rodriguez, a former heavyweight champion who lost his wife and children in a tragic accident, has battled depression and personal demons to earn a second shot at the title. Now he faces the undefeated champion in the final round, fighting for redemption.

Serena Williams has already won the Australian Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon. Now, one point away from the U.S. Open title, she has the chance to become the first player since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single year.

LeBron James came to the Los Angeles Lakers to restore the franchise's winning culture. Now, in Game 7 of the NBA Finals with the score tied and seconds remaining, he has the ball and a chance to bring the Lakers their 17th championship.

The World Cup final between Brazil and Germany is tied 2-2 after extra time, heading to a penalty shootout. Brazil's star Neymar steps up first, with the hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders as Germany looks to claim the title.

At 35, Daniel "The Dreamer" Miller is written off as too old and too worn out to challenge for a boxing title. But the veteran from Detroit has fought through injuries, personal loss, and years of obscurity for one last shot at glory against the undefeated reigning champion.

Maya Thompson, a 23-year-old from Scotland, once considered quitting badminton after missing Olympic qualification by one spot. Now she faces the defending champion from China in the World Championship final.

At 35, Pierre Dubois is the oldest rider in the Tour de France and riding in his final race. Determined to win a stage before his career ends, the French cyclist faces the brutal ascent of the Col du Tourmalet with nothing left to lose.

Siya Kolisi, the first black captain of South Africa's Springboks, grew up playing rugby on dirt fields in a township. Now he leads his team against the mighty All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final, with the nation's hopes resting on his shoulders.

Aisha Patel, a 19-year-old from a working-class background in East London, has been told she doesn't belong in elite fencing. Now she faces the reigning Olympic champion in the World Championships final, one touch away from proving everyone wrong.

Ali Khan grew up playing cricket with a makeshift bat in a small village in Pakistan. Now, in the Cricket World Cup final against arch-rivals India, he faces the final ball with the championship on the line.

Lily Chen, a 22-year-old amateur from a working-class family in San Francisco, has qualified for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Working part-time at a pro shop just hours earlier, she now stands on the 18th green needing an eagle to force a playoff.

Jake Thompson, a senior from a small Division II college in Ohio, grew up in a single-parent household and used wrestling as his escape. Now he faces the undefeated defending champion in the NCAA wrestling final, one match away from a legacy.

Emma Rodriguez, a 21-year-old from San Diego who learned table tennis in her family's garage, has been dismissed as an outsider in the elite world of the sport. Now she faces the defending champion from China in the World Championship final.

Sarah Johnson, a 22-year-old archer from Colorado, once considered quitting the sport after missing Olympic qualification by one spot. Now she faces the defending champion from South Korea in the Olympic gold medal match.