The Elevator

By Ron Kantowski

Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Who’s headed toward the penthouse on the local sports scene — and who’s getting the shaft.

GOING UP

Jeremiah Wagner: The 15-year-old stock car racer from Las Vegas captured a national points event at Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, Calif., on Saturday for his 21st Legends series victory of the season. Maybe he’s really a Busch Brother in disguise. Wagner drove a ’34 Chevy sedan, a car that preceded him off the assembly line by 59 years.

Legacy Longhorns: The North Las Vegas team won four games in two days to prevail in the Central Plains Division II Invitational tournament — American Legion’s version of the old Triple-A World Series — in Pratt, Kan. Legacy defeated three-time defending tournament champion Jordan, Minn., 3-1 and 4-3, on the final day to claim the crown. The Longhorns, coached by Steve Thurston, won the Nevada Youth Baseball Association Silver Division with a 19-1 record to earn a trip to Pratt, which is mostly known for its twin water towers labeled “HOT” and “COLD.” Honest.

GOING DOWN

Becky Hammon: Although we’re not quite sure why. The former Colorado State star, one of the best women’s basketball players ever produced by the Mountain West Conference, elected to play for Russia (where she competes as a pro and holds dual citizenship) in the Olympics — and has been widely castigated for it. To hear her critics, you’d think she was the one driving those tanks into Georgia. Instead of getting mad at Hammon for pursuing her Olympic Dream by whatever means she could, Team USA should have just invited her to try out.

New Mexico football: The Lobos received three years’ probation and were docked five scholarships for recruiting violations by two former assistant coaches. Rocky Long, the New Mexico head coach, wasn’t accused of anything — although a lot of Mountain West coaches think his blitzing defense should be against the rules, too.