cycling
Rodriguez, Wilcoxson claim road national titles
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Freddie Rodriguez won his fourth national title Monday in a sprint to the finish, edging Brent Bookwalter in the USA Cycling Professional men’s road race.
Rodriguez, 38, of Berkeley, Calif., covered the 100.6-mile course in and around Chattanooga in a time of 4 hours, 6 minutes, 56 seconds. Bookwalter of Asheville, N.C., also finished second in the time trial Saturday, and he came in just enough behind Rodriguez at the line.
Kiel Reijnen of Boulder, Colo., was third. Tom Zirbel, the winner of Saturday’s time trial title, finished 11th. Durango’s Ian Burnett was 38th.
Jade Wilcoxson of Talent, Ore., won the women’s road race over 63.1 miles in 2:46:39. Lauren Hall of Dolores, Colo., was second and Alison Powers of Pinecliffe, Ore., third.
Durango native Kristin McGrath was fourth and fellow Durangoan Carmen Small was seventh.
Running
Kiprono, Mohammed top Bolder Boulder; Thweatt 12th
BOULDER – Allan Kiprono defended his Bolder Boulder crown as he led Kenya to the International Team Challenge title, ending Ethiopia’s six-year reign in the Memorial Day race.
Kiprono sprinted away from the field late in the 10-kilometer competition on Monday to finish in a time of 29 minutes, 28.79 seconds. His Kenyan teammates weren’t far behind in this unique competition, where three runners from each country team up and their combined finishes determine the winner. Ethiopia finished second.
Merima Mohammed of Ethiopia cruised to an easy victory in the women’s race, raising her hands as she crossed the finish line inside Folsom Field in 33:58.79. Mohammed’s dominating performance helped Ethiopia retain its title for a fifth consecutive year. Deena Kastor of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., was the top American finisher in fourth. Durango native Laura Thweatt finished 12th in 35 minutes, 45.70 seconds.
college sports
New Rutgers AD has no plans to step aside
NEWARK, N.J. – Julie Hermann is not resigning as Rutgers’ incoming athletic director following a report that 16 years ago she humiliated and emotionally abused players while coaching Tennessee’s women’s volleyball team. And the university is standing behind her.
Embattled Rutgers President Robert Barchi said in a statement the university looks forward to her running the athletic department. He added that she was the best of the 63 candidates interviewed for the job of succeeding Tim Pernetti.
Speaking to reporters on a conference call, Hermann denied having knowledge of a letter written by the 15 Tennessee players on the volleyball team. She said her former boss never heard of it and she never heard her former players make the allegation. Rutgers officials, however, have talked to her about it in recent days, she said.
Hermann acknowledged she was an intense coach and may have made a few mistakes handling her team. The 49-year-old administrator said she has matured and believes she is qualified to lead the scandal-marred Rutgers athletic program. Her first day on the job is June 17.
NFL
Peterson: Gay marriage “not something I believe in”
MINNEAPOLIS – NFL MVP Adrian Peterson says he has family members who are gay whom he loves and respects. But on gay marriage, the Minnesota Vikings running back says “that’s not something I believe in.”
Peterson made his comments in a recent interview with Sirius/XM NFL radio. He was asked his thoughts on the Vikings cutting longtime punter Chris Kluwe, an outspoken advocate for gay rights and gay marriage.
Peterson says he considers Kluwe a good friend.
Associated Press
