Theme: "Squad Goals" - Each common phrase is rephrased as a team of Olympians.
22. Olympic fencing team?: STICK FIGURES.
24. Olympic skateboarding team?: DECK CREW.
44. Olympic table tennis team?: SPIN DOCTORS.
52. Olympic volleyball team?: BLOCK PARTY.
65. Olympic basketball team?: SHOOTING STARS.
82. Olympic weightlifting team?: CLEAN SLATE.
90. Olympic gymnastics team?: FLOOR MODELS.
111. Olympic wrestling team?: PINHEADS.
113. Olympic relay race team?: RUNNING MATES.
And an extra 42. Like the Olympic torch: LIT.
Great title. Timely and fun theme. Very consistent with the first word related to the team in each clue. Both Rebecca and Amie are very accomplished constructors. Today's grid is extra sparkly with all those long Downs.
I'm just going to focus on Regan Smith (Minnesota), Summer McIntosh and Léon Marchand.
Across:
6. Student support orgs.: PTAS.
10. Chat room admin: MOD. Moderator.
13. Blackjack cards: ACES.
17. Not warranted: UNDUE.
18. Full body exercise: BURPEE. Quite challenging.
20. Shiba __: INU.
21. Hoped-for review: RAVE.
26. Victory lap speed: TROT.
27. "Schitt's Creek" surname: ROSE. Created Dan & Eugene Levy.
28. Massage places: SPAS.
30. Spuds: TATERS.
31. "Can confirm": YES IT IS.
33. Read a QR code: SCANNED.
36. Cacao __: NIB. Petty good with overnight oats.
37. On the town, say: OUT.
38. Stash: STOW.
39. Dog's wagger: TAIL.
41. Animation frames: CELS.
48. Spider-Woman voice actress Rae: ISSA.
49. Precipitation that may leave dents: HAIL.
50. Ergo: HENCE.
51. Certain vibe: AURA.
54. Pakistani language: URDU.
55. Bryant of "Human Resources": AIDY. She was with SNL for a long time.
56. Hot pot spot?: KILN. Ha. Hot pot indeed.
57. Corn serving: EAR.
58. Leave out: SKIP.
59. D'backs, on a scoreboard: ARI.
60. Have a fancy meal: DINE.
61. Haunted house decorations: WEBS.
64. "Group __!": HUG.
70. TV series pts.: EPS. Episodes.
72. Upscale: POSH.
74. Loathe: HATE.
75. Gender-affirming treatment: Abbr.: HRT. Hormone-Replacement Therapy.
76. Way of walking: GAIT. I really like this picture.
77. Color gradation: HUE.
79. Window glass: PANE.
80. Title for Julie Andrews: DAME. I used to confuse her with Julie Christie.
81. "Breaking Bad" actress Gunn: ANNA.
86. Pro __: at no charge: BONO.
87. "Atlanta" actor __ Tyree Henry: BRIAN.
88. Set a part?: COMB. Part the hair.
89. Playthings: TOYS.
92. Portmanteau hairstyle that sounds messier than it is: SLOB. Slick & bob.
93. Cartoon explorer: DORA.
94. For us: OURS.
95. "Evita" role for Mandy Patinkin: CHE.
96. "Toodle-oo!": BYE.
98. "This way to your table" speaker: MAITRE'D.
100. Jelly Roll Morton of jazz, e.g.: PIONEER.
104. Sleeps in, maybe: SLACKS.
107. Pi Day follower: IDES. 3/14, 3/15.
108. Actor Wilson: OWEN.
110. Donated: GAVE.
116. Supermarket with an aisle of "Finds" affectionately dubbed the "Aisle of Shame": ALDI.
117. Previously called: NEE.
118. Puts sourdough in the fridge overnight, say: PROOFS.
119. Surgical tube: STENT.
120. Certain gender presentation, for short: MASC.
121. Online convos: DMS. And 104. Text repeatedly: SPAM.
122. Eldest Haim sister: ESTE.
123. Good guys: GENTS. Tom Pepper came to my rescue again. He assembled the bath bench for my sister-in-law Connie.
 |
| David Liben-Nowell and Tom Pepper |
Down:
2. Between, in Spanish or French: ENTRE.
3. "Toodle-oo!": ADIOS.
4. Shower attachment?: SUCTION CUP. Great fill/clue.
5. "Zoinks!": EEK.
6. Wrinkly-faced dogs: PUGS.
7. "I kid you not!": TRUE STORY. Also love these long fill: 13. Rabbit kin with a white winter coat: ARCTIC HARE. And 14. The plush toy Funshine, for one: CARE BEAR. 73. Well-worn style?: SHABBY CHIC. 76. Yard entrance: GARDEN GATE. 79. Base jumps?: PAY RAISES.
80. Yoda's words before "There is no try": DO OR DO NOT.
8. Coachella mo.: APR.
9. Waffles: SEESAWS.
10. Between the premiere and the finale, say: MID-SEASON.
11. Free throw value: ONE.
12. Channel: DUCT.
15. "Best. Day. __!": EVER.
16. Wraps (up): SEWS.
18. "About me" sections: BIOS.
19. NFL Draft airer: ESPN.
23. Crunchy addition to corn salad: FRITO. I can smell the taste.
25. Neb. neighbor: KAN.
29. Caribbean archipelago: ANTILLES.
32. Lip, casually: TUDE. Attitude.
34. Celebrity chef Cat: CORA.
35. Backbone bit: DISC.
38. Artist's workspace: STUDIO.
40. Rowing spot: LAKE.
43. Artful: SLY.
44. "Keep it down!": SHUSH.
45. Start to show some interest: PERK UP.
46. Stripe between 86-Down and violet: INDIGO. 86. Stripe between green and 46-Down: BLUE.
47. Egyptian capital: CAIRO.
52. Watch an entire series in a weekend, say: BINGE.
53. Source of some muddy prints: PAWS.
55. Relaxation exhalation: AAH.
56. Kunta __-Alex Haley Memorial: Maryland landmark: KINTE.
60. Jack's twin on "Black-ish": DIANE.
62. Hat hair cause, maybe: BEANIE.
63. "This Is __ Tap": SPINAL.
65. Give the cold shoulder: SHUN.
66. "Even still ... ": THAT SAID.
67. Marvel villain who said, "I am inevitable": THANOS.
68. Knight's cover: ARMOR.
69. Way to go, briefly: RTE.
71. Is super into, in slang: STANS.
78. Founded: Abbr.: EST'D.
82. Syringe units: CCs.
83. "Hahahaha": LOL.
84. The Get Up Kids and Saves the Day: EMO BANDS.
85. Weaving tool: LOOM.
87. Festival aesthetic: BOHO.
90. "Definitely": FOR SURE.
91. Hosting, casually: MC'ING.
97. __ out a win: EKE.
99. UMD player: TERP.
100. Calligraphy tools: PENS.
101. Put away: EATEN.
102. 100-meter dash, e.g.: EVENT.
103. Takes a breather: RESTS.
105. Grammy winner Downs: LILA.
106. Stuff in a long-jump pit: SAND.
109. Either spouse, perhaps: WIFE.
112. JFK, but not La Guardia: DEM. Fun clue angle.
114. Rejections: NOS.
115. N.Y. Rangers home ice: MSG.
Two extra notes:
1) In case you missed it, here is the obit of Chair Moe's interesting mom Phyllis.
2) The Midwest Crossword Puzzle Tournament will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Click here for more information. Here is the full list of the organizers, constructors and editors, all are Midwest-based. I think Gary linked Carly Schuna's picture before. Super cool.
C.C.
