Nearly a $1 million win

Melody Jones of Spanaway, Wash., came just inches away from winning $1 million today at ESPN's Great Outdoor Games presented by Dodge.

Jones had one chance to boost her bank account in the STIHL $1 Million Ax Throw, at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

The winner of an online sweepstakes sponsored by STIHL Inc. outdoor power equipment, Jones was flown to the Games and given one chance to throw an ax, hit the bull's-eye of a target 23 feet away and win the money. But her throw, while straight, wasn't high enough and landed below the target.

Jones had one practice throw earlier in the day after receiving some coaching from former timber sports competitor Rob Scheer, now one of the Games event organizers. Jones said she also practiced in her back yard at home prior to traveling to Florida.

"I'm a little disappointed," said Jones. "I wanted to at least stick the ax in the wood, or get a little closer. I did better when I had my practice throw this morning. But it's been great to be here and a fun weekend."

"She's a trooper," said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL. "She's been so calm and cool all day, and I don't know how she did it. For people who understand the sport of ax throwing, and how difficult it is, it was a phenomenal effort by an amateur. We're proud of her."

As a consolation, STIHL is giving Jones a STIHL MS 210C Chainsaw.

Speed crucial in winning Archery at Games

Before winning the gold medal in Saturday's Archery competition at the Games, Keith Brown of Greensboro, N.C., was asked if the swirling, gusting winds favored anyone in the 16-archer field.

Brown pointed to his good friend Randy Hendrix of nearby Clemmons, N.C., the defending champion. Hendrix, nicknamed the "Quiet Intimidator," shook his head and said speed remained the biggest concern.

"Everyone has to deal with the same wind," Hendrix said. "It will still come down to speed. That's what this event is all about."

Brown eventually defeated Jerry Decker of Dalton, Pa., to capture the gold in his fourth appearance at the Games, which was held at Disney's Wide World of SportsŪ Complex.

In his four victorious matches, Brown never took more than 25.8 seconds to win the "Speed Challenge," the event's fourth shooting station. He also shot the day's second-fastest time, 18.07 seconds, in his semifinals match over bronze-medal winner Mark Wagner of Des Moines, Iowa.

And to drive home the wisdom of Hendrix's prediction, Decker's silver-medal performance included the day's fastest time, 16.93 seconds, when he defeated Hendrix in their semifinals match up.

By claiming the top four spots, Brown, Decker, Wagner and Hendrix automatically qualified for the 2006 ESPN Great Outdoor Games.

A Games proposal

Just moments after taking the silver medal in Men's Log Rolling at the Games Sunday afternoon, Jamie Fischer of Stillwater, Minn., proposed to his girlfriend, Jill O'Brien.

In front of a stand full of spectators, three ESPN video cameras and a still photographer, Fischer bent down on one knee, told O'Brien he could never think of not having her in his life and then asked simply, "Will you marry me?"

A hush fell over the crowd. A few seconds later, O'Brien exclaimed "Yes!" as fans in the stands and Fischer's fellow timber competitors cheered.

The Games will be aired on ESPN and ABC Sports July 13-17, 2005. Click here for the broadcast schedule.