The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 30

NFLD3 BaseballD4-5 Auto RacingD9-10 Colleges011 ScoreboardD13 GolfD14 Spo The Indianapolis Star (Q lndyStar.comsports Saturday, September 27, 2003 Section InfoUne: 624-INFO (4636) Junqueira takes provisional CART pole. D9 Daniel ties course record, takes LPGA lead. D14 Mm -A iir rj Coachgeneral manager resigns to pursue other opportunities game losing streak that ultimately cost them a playoff spot, the organization appeared solidly behind her. The 2004 season was to be her final one under contract. She had a three-year record of 42-56 on seasons of 10-22, 16-16 and 16-18.

Anne Donovan coached the Fever on an interim basis in their inaugural season of 2000 while Fortner was leading the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal at the Sydney Kelly Krauskopf, chief operating officer for the Fever, said she discussed the future of the franchise with Fortner on several occasions and that the coach finally decided to leave. "It's sad for me," Krauskopf said Friday night. "I'm losing a personal friend and enjoyed working with her." Fortner is also general manager for the Fever. Krauskopf said she will immediately begin a search for a new coach.

The team will inevitably undergo another makeover because the WNBA is in the first year of free agency and the Fever have a lottery pick in the 2004 draft. Also, if the league can't find a new city for See Fortner, Page D12 Fortner with Fever Year Record 2003 16-18 2002 16-16 2001 10-22 Reached WNBA playoffs Career notes: Nell Fortner coached U.S. gold medal-winning women's basketball teams in 2000 Olympics and 1998 world championships. Coached Purdue to 17-11 record in 1996-97 (NCAA and Big Ten Coach of the Year) Inducted into Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. By David Woods david.woodsindystar.com The Indiana Fever lost their chance to make the WNBA playoffs when they lost on the final day of the regular season.

A month and a day later, they lost their coach. Nell Fortner resigned Friday. Her appointment had been considered so important to the expansion franchise that the Fever hired her in August 1999, nearly two years before she could coach the team. In a statement released by the Fever, Fortner said she wanted to explore other career opportunities. She has been an analyst for ESPN's coverage of women's college basketball.

"Being a part of building an expansion franchise from the ground up has been exciting and rewarding," Fortner said. Although Fortner was criticized by fans as the Fever went on a six- Mpozl Mshate Tolbert The Star Moving on: Nell Fortner leaves the Fever with a 42-56 record and one playoff appearance. EXTRA SCHOOL FOOTBALL HIGH Ms: sfora at games I HIM l. 4 Several contests are moved to today; No. 1 Warren trails Robert Scheer The Star Fastest: Jarno Trulli said he familiarity with the track from practice helped him in qualifying.

Contenders trail behind in the rain Journeyman driver Trulli earns best qualifying position for today with track-record lap of 1:09.566. ILl QUICK HITS Ben Davis 28 North Central 6 Perry Meridian 14 Pike 0 Franklin 41 Seymour 14 Greenwood 27 Beech Grove 6 Indian Creek 40 Milan 0 Park Tudor 6 North Decatur 0 Southport 13 Martinsville 0 East Central 63 South Dearborn 0 Heritage Hills 42 Gibson Southern 0 LaPorte 14 Merrillville 0 1 i 7 i ill vj KX v- Star report Carmel High School had Class 5A No. 1 Warren Central on the run before weather interrupted. A wide line of thunderstorms Friday night forced several high school football games across the state to be postponed to today. The host Greyhounds (3-2, 1-2 Metropolitan Interscholas-tic Conference) led 3-0 on a 49-yard field goal by Caleb Lindemann when the game was halted with 10:56 left in the second quarter.

The game will resume at 6 p.m. today. Admission at Carmel Stadium is free. Warren Central is 5-0, 3-0 in the conference. Other area games postponed to today include Class 4A No.

2 Zionsville against visiting Avon to 6 p.m. with the Eagles leading 12-0, Brownsburg at Hamilton Southeastern to 1 p.m., West-field at Noblesville to L30 p.m. and Crawfordsville at Tri-West to 2:30 p.m. Any game not made up today will be considered canceled by Indiana High School Athletic Association rules. The weather was the only thing to slow down Lawrence North running back Craig Jenkins against Terre Haute North.

Jenkins, seventh in the state in rushing, already had rolled up 128 yards and three touchdowns when play was stopped with L59 to go in the first half and the host Wildcats ahead 20-0. The game will resume at 630 p.m. today. ByCurtCavin curt.cavinindystar.com Formula One lost its grip on qualifying normalcy Friday in the rain at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Three-time defending world champion and series points leader Michael Schumacher settled for the eighth spot, 1.2 seconds behind journeyman Jarno Trulli, the pacesetter.

Ralf Schumacher bested his brother, too. None of the championship contenders Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen was among the fast four. Even Michelin added to the strangeness, running competitive times with its tire rival on a cold and wet day that should have favored Bridgestone. It adds up to what should be an interesting field-setting round of qualifying today for Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix.

Friday's times set the order for today's pole-setting session, meaning Trulli will go out last. Starting up front is critical to See Rain, Page D10 i INSIDE GRAND PRIX Sunday, 1 p.m. Today's event schedule 7 a.m.: Gates open a.m.: Formula One practice a.m.: Formula One practice 1-2 p.m.: Formula One qualifying session 2 Winning ways: Successful football coaches in area are in no hurry to switch jobs. D8 Matt Detrich The Star Plenty of leg: Carmel's Caleb Lindemann kicks a 49-yard field goal as Brock Herr steadies the ball. Lindemann made the kick and Carmel leads Warren Central 3-0 as the game resumes today.

mm.wmmmmmmKimmwwm Run for cover: Fans at the game head for home after they are informed that bad weather is on the way. Win-less Noblesville leads 17-0 late in the second OGo to for complete high school football coverage, including scores, highlights and team features from our zoned editions. Also, Pat McKee answers your questions in our Ask the Expert feature. James Vae For The Star Purdue expects Notre Dame's best A cautious coach Tiller reminds his 22nd-ranked Boilermakers that the Irish are never an easy game. James, Freeney termed questionable Inside: Grace to retire, Cubs rained out "Ki By Michael Pointer michael.pointerindystar.com WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.

Purdue coach Joe Tiller walked a fine line in his public comments this week. He wanted to show confidence in the 22nd-ranked Boilermakers as they prepared to host Notre Dame today. He promised his veteran team would be aggressive. But Tiller also was quick to remind everyone it's never easy to beat the Irish. Even when they're struggling, they're loaded with talent.

They will have the best defense Purdue has faced so far this season, he said. He cautioned not to read too much into Notre Dame's 38-0 loss at Michigan two weeks ago. "They (Michigan) could have done the same thing to anybody in the country that day," Tiller said. "Will they ever do it again? I don't know. But it's been a long time since I've seen a team play that perfect a game." There's also the question of See Purdue, Page DTI Sunday's game tm Who: Colts (3-0) at New Orleans (1-2) Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

TV: WNDY-23, ESPN Radio: FM game with an injury to his left ankle. "I feel I can go out there and perform," Freeney said "That's how I feel right now, but you never know. I could wake up (this morning) and feel 'Oh, I can't "I didn't play last week and I can't stand sitting around and watching my boys out there without me. I'm going to see how it feels (today) and how it feels on Sunday." Freeney said he won't play against the Saints if there is a risk of aggravating the ankle injury. "If it's that close," he said, "I probably won't play." Coach Tony Dungy is more optimistic he'll have Freeney at his disposal than he is of James.

"We want to make sure (James) is See James, Page D3 RB misses another workout with bad back, but DE practices; Pollard returns from hospital. By Mike Chappell mike.chappelli8indystar.com Edgerrin James and Dwight Freeney need a dose of whatever Marcus Pollard received during his one-night stay at a local hospital. James, the Indianapolis Colts' starting running back, and Freeney, their right defensive end, remain questionable for Sunday night's game with New Orleans in the Superdome. The status of each won't be determined until game time. Pollard, meanwhile, was back at the Union Federal Football Center on Friday morning after spending the previous night in the hospital.

The veteran tight end arrived too late to practice, but will work out this morning and play against the Saints. Pollard declined to discuss what necessitated his visit to the hospital deflecting the question with a "Wizard of Oz" reference. Today's game Who: Notre Dame (1-2) at Purdue (2-1) Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. Radio: WNDE-1260 AM. WXLW-950 AM Inside Big testlU visits Michigan.

DTI Heading home: Diamondbacks first baseman Mark Grace will retire Sunday after 16 major-league seasons. D5 Cubs take lead: The Cubs were rained out Friday against the visiting Pirates, yet moved into first place in NL Central when the Astros lost 12-5 to the Brewers. The Cubs, who meet the Pirates in a doubleheader today, lead the Astros by a half game. The regular season ends Sunday. Chicago's magic number is three.

DS Mldiaal Conroy Associated Press Unknown Illness: Colts tight end Mar-, cus Pollard is out of the hospital but is not saying why he was there. "I can just tell you I had to go see the wizard," he said, smiling. "Everything's fine and I'll be playing on Sunday." James missed his fourth practice of the week on Friday while receiving treatment on his sore back. He suffered the injury Sunday against Jacksonville. Freeney went through Friday's full workout and was upgraded from doubtful to questionable on the NFL's injury report He missed the Jaguars.