College Football
SEC rules: Conference sets an AP Top 25 record
The Southeastern Conference has a record 10 teams ranked in the first Associated Press college football poll of the regular season.
Ohio State remained a unanimous No. 1 after pulling away 42-24 at Virginia Tech on Monday night.
The SEC already held the record for most teams from one conference in the Top 25 with eight, a mark it matched in the preseason. After the conference went 12-1 to open the season, No. 16 Texas A&M and No. 25 Mississippi State moved into the poll to go with the eight teams already there.
Alabama moved up a spot to No. 2. The rest of the SEC roll call is: No. 6 Auburn, No. 10 Georgia, No. 14 LSU, No. 17 Mississippi, No. 18 Arkansas, No. 20 Missouri and No. 23 Tennessee.
Cycling
A vintage time trial: Giro stage dedicated to Chianti
LONDON – Wine lovers will appreciate a time trial in next year’s Giro d’Italia dedicated to Chianti Classico.
The ninth stage of the race will feature a hilly 25-mile route from Radda to Greve in Chianti – the heart of the Tuscan red wine-making region.
Chianti Classico consortium chairman Sergio Zingarelli, speaking at the presentation in London, said “it’s a great pleasure being able to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Chianti Classico wine hosting on our territory such an important international event.”
Wine was also the theme for a time trial in last year’s race from Barbaresco to Barolo.
While the full 2016 Giro route won’t be revealed until next month, organizers already announced the race will start May 6 with three stages in the Netherlands.
Golf
Struggling Mickelson still makes the U.S. roster
Phil Mickelson was selected to the Presidents Cup as a captain’s pick even though he was 30th in the standings and hasn’t won in two years.
U.S. captain Jay Haas also picked his son, Bill Haas, though that was expected in most corners. Bill Haas played on the last two teams and was 11th in the standings.
Jay Haas said Mickelson deserved a pick after making the last 20 teams – Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup – without needing one. He also described Mickelson as a team leader.
“I am so honored to be on this team,” Mickelson said. “And to have it come from input from so many players and assistant captains wanting me to be on the team means a lot to me that I couldn’t put it into words. It’s just a very special honor to be on the team.”
Price takes Sang-moon Bae for Korean matches
Sang-moon Bae is headed home to South Korea for his mandatory military service. But first he gets to play in the Presidents Cup.
International team captain Nick Price selected Bae and Steven Bowditch to fill out his 12-man team that will try to end 17 years of losing against the Americans.
Bae had been able to avoid his mandatory two-year military service throughout his PGA Tour career until it was determined that he spent too much time in South Korea last year. He appealed the decision, and the military courts ruled a month ago that he had to serve.
“I think he’s had a really tough time,” Price said. “His military service has been a cause for concern, and it hasn’t allowed him to play his best. But I think once he’s made the decision, he’s played a lot better.”
One other aspect played into Bae’s favor. He has won twice on the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course in Incheon, where the matches will be played
Price has two South Korean-born players on his team – Bae and Danny Lee.
Associated Press
