Golden Nuggets: Missy Franklin Named To Academic All-American Team

Track & Field

California freshman Bethan Knights claimed 16th place in the 5,000-meter run in the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships for the Golden Bears at the University of Oregon, while sophomore Ethan Cochran placed 22nd in the discus throw.

Swimming & Diving

NCAA Swimmers of the Year Missy Franklin and Ryan Murphy, as well as junior Rachael Acker, were named to the 2015 Capital One Academic All-America at-large teams.

Great job in class & pool: Academic All-American honors for @FranklinMissy & Rachael Acker. http://t.co/HEjLbi0dkV pic.twitter.com/fOEKJUJupo

— Cal W Swim/Dive (@CalWSwim) June 11, 2015

National Football League

Aaron Rodgers: We have talent to get to Super Bowl 50

The Green Bay Packers boast the best player on the planet, have been to the playoffs the past six seasons and won the NFC North each of the past four years. Yet they haven't reached the Super Bowl since the 2010 season.

Aaron Rodgers, the 2014 NFL MVP, believes the Packers are stocked to finally return.

"I think the talent is definitely there," Rodgers told ESPN's Rob Demovsky on Tuesday. "But just like last year, you've got to see how the team comes together."

FIFA Women's World Cup

Alex Morgan gaining rhythm for USWNT

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Sidelined for weeks with a knee injury, Alex Morgan was never under consideration for a starting role in the U.S. Women's World Cup opener Monday. In a U.S. squad featuring a wealth of frontline options, Coach Jill Ellis was in no hurry to rush Morgan back onto the field.

She practiced all out last week. She entered in the 78th minute of the 3-1 victory over Australia in the Group D match at Investors Group Field. And with her making steady strides in regaining fitness and rhythm, Morgan seems likely to receive additional playing time Friday against Sweden. [Morgan entered in the 78th minute against Sweden as well.]

Is she ready to start? Probably not. After all, she has not played substantial minutes in international competition since an April 4 friendly against New Zealand in St. Louis. Her last 90-minute performance came in February. Before reporting to U.S. training camp, Morgan appeared in only one National Women's Soccer League game: 75 minutes in the Portland Thorns' season debut April 11 against the Boston Breakers.

"It's about building her rhythm so that she can contribute more and more each game," Ellis said Wednesday before a training session. "Physically she is doing great. Mentally she is in a good place."