THE ELEVATOR

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006 | 7:48 a.m.

Who's headed toward the penthouse on the local sports scene - and who's getting the shaft.

GOING UP

Las Vegas Marathon entries

With seven weeks still to go before the runners start stretching their hamstrings at the starting line, entries are up to 11,000. Word to the committee: Put some of the goop from Kenny Rogers' pitching hand on the finish line, so the first Kenyan across it doesn't slip and almost break his neck, like in Chicago last week.

Sam Schmidt

The longtime Henderson resident, who lost use of his legs in a 2000 Indy Racing League testing crash, will be honored today with a spot in Las Vegas' "Walk of Stars" on Las Vegas Boulevard South between Sahara Avenue and Russell Road. Perhaps Schmidt's driving career ended that day in Florida, but his spirit and courage have lapped the field.

No-holds-barred butt-kicking

Thanks to the popularity of mixed martial arts such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Pride Fighting Championship, the Nevada State Athletic Commission estimates it will take in an additional $2.5 million during each of the next two fiscal years, meaning more tax revenue for the state. Now that's a black eye worth talking about.

GOING DOWN

UNLV football

After getting bombed back into the leather helmet era at Brigham Young last week, this might be the perfect time for the Rebels to ditch the spread offense for the single wing.

Shane Steichen

The UNLV quarterback, whose career was basically all (touchdown pass) or nothing (fumble), is finished with those extremes after being carried off the field at BYU with a broken ankle. The kid had guts. But in the Pantheon of Mediocrity - i.e., the roster of those who have served as UNLV field generals - I'd still have to rank him somewhere between erratic (Derek Stott) and really erratic (Bob Stockham).

Kyle Busch

After finishing 18th at Martinsville last week, the Chase for the NASCAR championship has been transformed into a leisurely stroll for the younger of Las Vegas' racing Busches. He's mired in 10th place - a synonym for last - among the qualifiers for the stock car racing playoffs.

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