College Football
Bonner, Cignetti, McKeller chosen for D-II Hall of Fame
FLORENCE, Ala. – Valdosta State quarterback Dusty Bonner, Jacksonville State tight end Keith McKeller and retired Indiana University of Pennsylvania coach Frank Cignetti were selected for the Division II Football Hall of Fame.
Bonner is one of only three two-time winners of the Harlon Hill Trophy as the top D-II player.
Cignetti, West Virginia’s head coach from 1976 to 1979, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in August. He led the Hawks to 13 playoff berths during his 20-year tenure with appearances in the 1990 and 1993 championship games.
McKeller was a four-time All-Gulf South Conference basketball player who walked onto the football team in 1986. He earned all-conference honors and later started in four consecutive Super Bowls for the Buffalo Bills.
Cycling
Gilbert wins Stage 12, while Nibali’s overall lead shrinks
TARRAGONA, Spain – World champion Philippe Gilbert won the 12th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Thursday, and Vincenzo Nibali retained the leader’s jersey.
Gilbert, a Belgian riding for BMC, caught Edvald Boasson Hagen and moved past him in the final yards to cross first ahead of the pack in the 102-mile stage from Maella to Tarragona on the Mediterranean coast.
Gilbert won in 4 hours.
Nibali lost two seconds of his lead, seeing it reduced to 31 seconds over Nicolas Roche. Alejandro Valverde and Christopher Horner are tied for third overall at 46 seconds behind.
Stetina’s condition improves from critical to serious
BOULDER – U.S. Bicycling Hall of Famer Dale Stetina continues to improve from a head injury after crashing his bike in Lefthand Canyon near Boulder.
KMGH-TV reported Wednesday that Stetina’s condition has been upgraded to serious after being listed as critical. Authorities said Stetina crashed Saturday when he swerved and braked trying to avoid an SUV that pulled into his lane.
The 57-year-old was a member of the 1976 and 1980 U.S. Olympic teams and won more than 200 domestic and international bike races during an 18-year career.
USA Basketball
Auriemma to follow Coach K back to Team USA?
Geno Auriemma will return to coach the U.S. women’s basketball team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.
USA Basketball will discuss the move at a news conference Friday in Connecticut. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the appointment of the Connecticut coach has not been announced.
Auriemma will be the first repeat coach for the U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team, which has won a gold medal at the last five games. Mike Krzyzewski decided in May he would return to coach the men a third time.
Auriemma’s team cruised through the 2012 London Games, winning by an average of 34 points, including an 86-50 rout of France for the title.
USA Hockey
USA hockey will open Worlds against host Belarus
ZURICH – The United States will play host Belarus on the opening day of the 2014 World Championships.
The International Ice Hockey Federation said the tournament May 9-25 will begin with 2013 runner-up Switzerland playing 2012 champion Russia in the same eight-team group.
Sweden will start its championship defense against Denmark on May 10 in the other group, which includes Canada.
Belarus is staging the tournament at two stadiums in Minsk: the 15,000-seat Minsk Arena and the Chizhovka Arena, which is scheduled to open in November.
The annual event will take place less than three months after the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Associated Press
