Sports

Hoops team to defend national title

This week the 5th-grade Bloomington Hoosier Hoops team will be going to Cocoa Beach, Fla., to defend their national title, July 21-27. The team is seeded 2nd in the tournament, but only because of the point accumulation system which is in place and not because of a win-loss record. In their age division, the 5th-grade team is 75-0, and it has won six 6th- grade tournaments and a total of 130 games since October, including defeating the State Champion 6th-grade team. The team will be playing in the tournament -- which is similar to the NCAA bracket system -- against a total of 96 teams. "I wish there was something like this when I was younger," said Dan Van Trese, father of one of the 5th-grade players.

Summer season heats up for IU ballplayers

Cream and crimson litters the United States. Sunburn and ball gloves together again, as the boys of spring have become the boys of summer -- IU ballplayers are polishing their skills in collegiate leagues across the country. From central Illinois to central Florida, from Indianapolis to the Pacific coast, IU baseball players are keeping the faith and keeping pace one cleat dig by home plate and one ground ball to the chest at a time. "We want them to play, otherwise they'll get behind," IU assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Tony Kestranek said. Simple enough. As other programs around the country are also sending players to summer leagues, summer ball is crucial for IU to keep up, let alone maintain a competitive edge mentally and physically.

U.S. coach wants to stay through 2006

NEW YORK -- Bruce Arena probably will stay on as U.S. soccer coach after leading the team to its most successful World Cup performance in 72 years. Arena, speaking Wednesday at a news conference to promote Major League Soccer's All-Star game, was reticent to discuss his future. His current contract, agreed to in October 1998, expires at the end of this year. "U.S. Soccer has talked to me and, hopefully, we can reach an agreement," Arena said.

World Cup equals clichés and clashes

The World Cup is probably the biggest cliché-generating event in sports. Let's see how many we can go through in this column.

Recruits practice in 2002 Barnstorm tour

Former 'Irish' QB to play for Hoosiers

Matt LoVecchio, a sophomore quarterback from Notre Dame, will transfer to IU next year.

Four students named 'Athlete of the Year'

Red Wings just a win away

DETROIT -- Everything is going Dominik Hasek's way, with the Detroit Red Wings in control of the Stanley Cup finals and the cup so close he can almost feel it in his arms. Nothing was going to upset his mind-set or his routine, the luck he feels going his way and the moment that soon could be his.

Dale Jarrett wins race at Pocono

LONG POND, Pa. -- Dale Jarrett ended a 30-race losing streak with a little luck over the final laps Sunday to win for the third time in his career at Pocono Raceway.

Lo Vecchio to transfer

SOUTH BEND -- Quarterback Matt LoVecchio, who led Notre Dame to seven straight wins and a Fiesta Bowl berth as a freshman before losing the starter's job after two games last season, plans to transfer.

Team rows to strong finish

The women's crew team rowed to a sixth place finish in the First Novice Eight at the Lexus South/Central Region Sprints last weekend in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The team's performance capped off one of the most successful seasons in the program's brief history.

Celtics able to overcome Game 1 woes

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Jim O'Brien stood in front of a board in the Boston Celtics locker before Game 2 and wrote the keys to winning. Most of them were about defense and rebounding.

Centerfielder earns award

IU junior centerfielder Kennard Jones was one of three Big Ten standouts named 2002 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year. Jones led the conference in overall hitting (.411), runs (72) and overall hits (88). In addition, Jones was second in hitting (.397) in conference games only. He led the league in hits (46), runs (30) and overall stolen bases (22). Minnesota junior second baseman Luke Appert and Michigan State junior outfielder Bob Malek were also named Player of the Year.

IU baseball advances in Big Ten

No. 4 IU played its first game of the Big Ten Tournament Wednesday against No. 5 Iowa and won 7-4. Junior pitcher Nick Vitieliss (8-1) picked up the win, and junior pitcher Ryan Smith got his 9th save, setting a new single season school record.

Women place 2nd, men 4th

17.74 miles per hour; approaching third gear. That's how fast Danielle Carruthers was going Saturday when she recorded this year's second best time in women's 100 meter hurdles on the planet. Carruthers' run concluded a weekend of personal bests at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in Madison, Wis.

on the SIDELINES

Big Ten to hold Bowl game Costas signs multi-year contract to stay with NBC Doctor: Hingis injuries may be career-threatening

Foyt's drivers looking for speed on Sunday

INDIANAPOLIS -- A.J. Foyt will have three drivers for Sunday's final Indianapolis 500 qualifications.

Team loses to Auburn, fails to advance

The IU women's tennis team served up the usual this past Saturday -- strong doubles play and porous singles play -- in a 4-3 heartbreaker to Auburn in the NCAA Regional semi-finals. A team that has been hampered by injuries all season long, especially down the final stretch, it has relied heavily on the team doubles point but been unable to count on singles to ice matches. The result has been a dreary 4-5 team record in April and May, and four 4-3 losses, including the most recent season-ending loss to Auburn.

Track teams prepare for championship

The men's and women's track and field teams enjoyed several first-place performances in the final regular-season home meet on Saturday at the Billy Hayes Invitational. Held at the Robert C. Haugh Track Complex, the invite served as a final tune-up before next weekend's Big Ten Championship.

Hoosier offense carries team

IU moved towards the middle of the pack in the Big Ten title race Friday when it traveled to Purdue and pulled out a 15-5 victory.