The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 23

SALINA JOURNAL Sports THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2003 G7 AUTO RACING IRL driver Renna dead at 26 Member of Ganassi team killed while testing car at Indianapolis speedway By STEVE HERMAN The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS IRL driver Tony Renna was killed in a wreck Wednesday during testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after he lost control at nearly 220 mph, went airborne and crashed into a fence. The accident ended the promising career of the 26-year-old Renna, who joined the Indy Racing League as a substitute driver and moved up to major auto racing with an impressive performance in the Indianapolis 500. Renna signed earlier this month with Ganassi Racing, one of the elite IRL teams, and he was making his first track appearance for Ganassi. "Tony Renna was a rising star in Indy car racing. All of us involved in racing feel a great Tony George, president of the speedway and the IRL.

Renna was the first IRL driver to die in a crash since Scott Brayton in 1996 at Indianapolis, and he was the 67th person fatally injured at the track since it RENNA opened in 1909. Greg Moore was the last open-wheel driver killed on a track, wrecking in CART's season-ending race at California Speedway in 1999. Renna was on his fourth lap when his Force-Toyota crashed as he came out of the third turn. He was testing the same car that IRL series champion Scott Dixon drove the day before at up to 230 mph. Dixon also drives for Ganassi.

"We're mourning the loss of our driver, friend and colleague," car owner Chip Ganassi said in a statement. "On behalf of our whole team, we send our sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Tony Renna." Ganassi said Renna did not hit anything before he lost control, went airborne, cleared the wall and crashed into the catch fence during testing, which was closed to the public and news media. The team was not sure if something broke in the car. Renna was taken to Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. "Racing is a very close-knit ment," speedway spokesmaft Ron Green said.

"Competitors are close with one another, officials are close with the teams, and certainly, certainly, a great loss was felt. "Tony was a great young guy I don't think anyone In the paddock ever had a bad thing to say about Tony" Renna drove in the developmental Indy Lights series in 1998-2000 and made his IRL debut last year with Kelley Racing as a substitute when Al Unser Jr. was undergoing treatment for alcoholism. Renna competed in seven races with Kelley and had five top 10 fmishes, including a career-best fourth at Michigan. This year, he finished seventh as a rookie at Indianapolis and was one of only nine drivers on the lead lap, taking the checkered flag about 7.5 seconds behind winner Gil de Ferran.

Renna began racing at age 6, and he won 252 races in mini-sprints, go-karts, micro-sprints and quarter-midgets. He twice was national quarter-midget champion, then was the 1996 rookie of the year in the Barber Dodge Pro Series. He also raced in the Barber Dodge series in 1997 and the next year joined Indy Lights, then the developmental series for CART. Swedes Jones: Coyotes better than eighth FROM PAGE CI PRO BASKETBALL Kobe set to play By The Associated Press EL SEGUNDO, Calif. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is forward WtSj to his first game since being ordered to stand trial for sexual assault and undergoing knee surgery "It's my eighth year in the league too many years in the league to be nervous," he said after practice Wednesday.

Coach Phil Jackson said he plans to start Bryant in the exhibition game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Anaheim on tonight and play him in "eight- to nine- minute bursts." "There's a natural timeout in the first quarter, and I'll take him out of the game and see how he does in the second session in the first half and go from there," Jackson said. It will also be the first time Bryant will play with Karl Malone and Gary Pay ton, free agents who signed with the Lakers during the summer. With center Shaquille O'Neal, it gives the Lakers four potential Hall of Famers. "They need to play together," Jackson said. Bryant said his goal for the game is "to build the rhythm as a unit." He said he agreed with teammate Derek Fisher's assessment that he was at 75 percent of his best level, Bryant said his trainer told him he would not be 100 percent until December.

Warriors'Richardson to sit tliree games NEW YORK Jason Richardson of the Golden State Warriors has been suspended for three games without pay for being con' victed of domestic violence over the summer In gan, the NBA announced Wednesday. Richardson's suspension will begin with the Warriors' first game of the 2003-04 season, next Wednesday night against Dallas. He also will miss games against Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Lakers. 'This Is the result of an ex- personal matter. 1 deeply regret being involved 'in any situation that results In the embarrassment of my -family, friends and fans, the Golden State Warriors and NBA," Richardson said a statement released by 'the league.

"I fully understand the serl- of the Implications and 1 accept the penalty Imposed by the commissioner. I'm glad to have these Issues addressed and behind me." Richardson, who Is starting his third season in the NBA, was convicted in August of a i misdemeanor domestic violence charge sfemming from an assault on his ex-glrl- 1 friend. Roger Clemens pitclies in what could be the final game of his career Wednesday night in Florida. The Associated Press Gonzalez Game 5 today FROM PAGE C1 Both teams threatened in extra innings, with Marlins reliever Braden Looper escaping a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the nth and posting the victory The Yankees had won seven straight extra-inning games in the Series since 1964. The previous two were among the most stirring in their storied history, set up when Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius hit two-out, two-run homers in the bottom of the ninth on consecutive nights against Arizona's Byung-Hyun Kim in 2001.

But the Marlins also knew a thing about late magic. Their last Series win at Pro Player Stadium was an 11-inning victory in Game 7 against Cleveland in 1997. "That's what this is all about. You've got two great teams that deserve to be here, and you saw great baseball tonight," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. Now with things all even, it goes to Game 5 today night.

David Wells starts against Florida's Brad Penny in a rematch of the opener that the Marlins won 3-2. The Marlins guaranteed the Series will return to Yankee Stadium. And that means there's still a chance Clemens will pitch again and it would be in Game 7. "We got five straight hits in the first inning we thought we were going to get to him early," Florida's Jeff Conine said. "It was really nice to see the crowd give him a sendoff like they did." While Clemens did not win, the Yankees at least made sure he did not lose.

Shut down for eight innings by Carl Pavano, New York TRACK FIELD Marlins 4, Yankees 3 NEW YORK FLORIDA abrhbl abrhbl AStano 2b 6 0 10 Pierre cl 4 0 0 0 Jetor S3 6 0 10 LCslillo 2b 4 0 0 0 JaGbl 1b 6 0 2 0 IRdrgz 5 12 0 BWIIms cl 6 2 4 0 Cbrera r1 5 112 Matsui If 3 0 10 Looper 0 0 0 0 Posada 4 0 10 Conine II 5 13 0 DlluccI ri 0 10 0 Lowell 3b 5 0 10 KGarca r1 3 0 0 0 DeLee lb 5 0 2 1 Sieira ph 10 12 AGnzIz ss 5 111 Cntrras 0 0 0 0 Pavano 2 0 0 0 JRivra ph 0 0 0 0 Urbina 0 0 0 0 Weaver 0 0 0 0 HIndsw ph 10 0 0 ABoone 3b 4 0 0 1 CFox 0 0 0 0 CImens p. 2 0 10 JEcrcn rl 0 0 0 0 N.lhnsn ph 10 0 0 Nelson 0 0 0 0 Flhorty 0 2 0 0 0 Totals 44 312 3 Totals 41 410 4 Now York 010 000 002 Florida 300 000 000 No ouls when winning run scored. 2. York 10, Florida 7. (3), BWilliams (1), IRodrlguez (2).

SB- Sierra (1). (I), AGonzalez (1). Dellucci, LCastillo, Pavano. New York Clemens Nelson Conlreras Weaver Florida Pavano Urbina CFox Looper IP 7 1 2 1 RER BB so 8 7 110 4 1 2 2 2 1 0 1 1-3 2 0 0 2 2 1 2-3 1 0 0 0 1 Weaver pitched to 1 batter In the 12th. Jell Kellogg; First, Ed Rapunno; Second, Tim Wolke; Third, Randy Marsh; Lett, Larry Young; Right, Gary Darling.

came back in the ninth against Ugueth Urbina. Bornic Williams singled with one out, Hideki Matsui walked and Jorge Posada grounded into a force play. David Dellucci came in to run for Posada, and Sierra fouled off two full-count pitches before tripling into the right-field corner. The Yankees were delirious as they spilled out of the dugout to celebrate the big hit. Earlier, they came off the bench in respectful fashion for Clemens' farewell.

"It was quite memorable for me," Torre said. "I mean, Roger, he just took it all in. I think we'd all like to be in his body and see what it felt like walking off that mound maybe for the last time." All the elements were in place for Clemens' coronation as one of the all-time greats. His place in the Hall of Fame is already assured, and the Yankees hoped he could go out with a win that would put them one victory for yet another championship. But the plucky Marlins had other ideas.

Miguel Cabrera, only 1 when Clemens made his major league debut in 1984, put the Marlins ahead with a two-out, two-run homer in the first. Florida had managed only two runs in the previous two games combined, and his fourth homer of this postseason gave the sellout crowd of 65,934 at Pro Player reason to believe. Clemens gave up another run in the first, and left after the seventh after striking out Luis Castillo. Popping flashbulbs lit up the ballpark and Clemens' teammates patted him on the back as he made his way to the bench, waving his hand. The ovation continued and Clemens came out of the dugout to acknowledge the cheers from the Marlins, patting his heart and doffing his cap.

Catcher Ivan Rodriguez clapped his hands as did the other Marlins, and manager Jack McKeon saluted Clemens from the dugout. It made for a rare scene opponents saluting someone on the other bench during a game that meant so much. "It was a classy thing by both teams," McKeon said. "All of our guys were on the top step, giving it their best hand." Sterling was the favorite in both men's polls. The Warriors finished second in the regular season standings a year ago and return three starters.

McPherson was second, Tabor third and Southwestern fourth. The media picked Tabor second, defending regular-season champion Bethel third and McPherson fourth. Bethany was fifth in the media poll and sixth in the coaches poll. The media ranked Kansas Wesleyan sixth while the coaches chose them eighth. "I don't have anybody they've ever heard of, so how the heck would they know," Wesleyan coach Jerry Jones said.

"When you're voting here you haven't seen these other players." Suffice it to say Jones doesn't believe his team will finish eighth. Just one starter returns in senior guard Tim Melton, but he led the KCAC in scoring last season. Jones sought size in his recruiting and sized three players who stand 6-foot-7, most notably Kenya Carruthers, a muscular senior forward and transfer from lona University "They've seen Melton, but Carruthers is probably in the class of Jason Gentz (a former KWU All-American)," Jones said. "He's the second-best player I've had, the way he's looking right now. He's a 6-7 guy that brings the ball down the floor, plays on the wing and dunks the ball a lot." Bethany won the KCAC postseason tournament, then embarked on a Cinderella postseason march that resulted in a second-place finish in the NAIA Division II national tournament.

But the Swedes lost all five starters and a key reserve from that team. "I told (the other coaches) to pick us last," Bethany coach Clair Oleen said. "If you vote U.S. officials propose tougher rules By ROB GLOSTER Vie Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO USA Track Field proposed tougher drug rules Wednesday that could include lifetime bans for first steroid offenses and fines up to $100,000 for athletes, acknowledging it has not done enough to curb drug use. The plan was unveiled as Dwain Chambers, Europe's fastest man, became the first athlete to admit testing positive for a newly discovered designer steroid, and USATF chief executive officer Craig Masback announced that four of its athletes also tested tive for the drug.

The previously undetectable steroid is at the center of a potentially colossal scandal involving chemists, athletes and coaches. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency says several athletes used the drug and that it's believed to have come from a laboratory that supplies some of the nation's top sports stars with nutritional supplements. Masback said the USATF's proposal is "twinned with an admission on our part that we have not done everything we could have done in the past." Just days ago, the U.S. Olympic Committee gave the national track governing body a month to deal with doping and athlete conduct issues or face possible tion.

The USATF hopes to adopt the new anti-doping policy at its annual meeting Dec. 4-8 in Greensboro, N.C„ after detex'- mining if it can legally implement the increased penalties under the Amateur Sports Act. nOLTNHIS Sales Service AIR HOCKEY 827-7727 112SE.Craw1on^ (First placo votas In parentheaes) MEN COACHES 1. Sterling (5) 93 2. McPherson (4) ....83 3.

Tabor (1) 80 4. Southwestern 57 5. Bethel 5S 6. Bethany 53 7. Ottawa 51 8.

Kansas Wesleyan 9. 26 10. Frtends 18 MEDIA 1 (5) 92 2. Tabor (2) 89 3. Bethel .75 3.

McPherson (3) 75 5. Bethany (1) 72 6. Kansas Wesleyan 52 7. Southwestern 47 Ottawa 41 9. Friends 34 10.

St. Maiy 28 WOMEN COACHES I.Bethany (6) .....96 2. Sterling (2) 86 3. Southwestern (2) 83 4. Tabor 67 S.Bethel 57 6.

Friends 44 7. Ottawa 38 8. St, Mary 35 9. McPherson 10. Kansas Wesleyan 10 MEDIA 1 (5) 108 2.

Bethany (2) 102 3. Southwestern (4) 99 4. Tabor (1) ....86 S.Bethel 75 6. Ottawa 63 7. Friends 40, 7.

McPherson 40 9. St. Mary 34 10. Kansas Wesleyan 12 based on who lost what, nobody lost as much as we did. "I'm pleased in term of the new kids we've brought in.

We're selective, we're not a reform school. We bring in kids who are going to buy into what to what we do. I'm pleased with the way they're picking up the Triangle (offen.se) and our defensive rules." KU Whittemore proves to be elusive FROM PAGE Cl MANGINO "That's not how Bill does it," Lewis said. "He just kind of looked at me, and I knew." Whittemore, who is on track to establish new school passing and total offense records this season, has never exhibited a fiery presence on the field or off. He's a classic example of a player who leads by actions, not words.

Sometimes Whittemore's actions are amazing. For instance, often when it appears he may be sacked, the KU quarterback leaves his pursuer clutching air. "Sometimes I have no clue," Lewis said, "how he gets out of where he's at." Whittemore's magical escapes will be much more difficult to perform Saturday when the Jayhawks play at Kansas State. The Wildcats possess, by a wide margin, the best defense the Jayhawks will have seen so far. K-State ranks No.

18 in NCAA total defense stats this week. The highest-rated defense KU has faced to this point is Missouri at No. 52. When Whittemore steps on the field in Manhattan, it's a "We have been pretty good all year, and I don't see any reason why we can't get back to protecting the way we have." Mark Mangino Kansas coach virtual certainty he'll have a bull's-eye on his chest because the 'Cats have traditionally taken a no-prisoners approach to opposing quarterbacks. "There's no doubt they'll definitely be gunning for him," Lewis said.

"We'll have to be on the top of our game." As far as Mangino is concerned, the offensive line must play better than it did against the Bears, Yet he isn't overly concerned. "We have been pretty good all year and I don't see any i-eason why we can't get back to protecting the way we have," the KU coach said. "It's not a serious problem." Lewis feels the same way "If you're an offensive lineman you have a short memory," he said. "You just blow it away" PHEASANTS Make Your Reservations NOW! Baiuiuot 'l Nov. 4 4-H Building Kenwood Park Social Hour 6:30 Dinner Tickets available Auction ACE HlirdwAl'e Send Reservatioiis To: 205 S.

Santa Fe Salina, KS 67401 or CaU 785-823-0240.