SportsJuly 22, 2000

Tribune and wire reports

Armstrong shows some kick, captures his first Tour stage

MULHOUSE, France -- Riding at a pace rarely seen in cycling, Lance Armstrong surged to a stage victory for the first time in this year's race as he neared a second straight triumph in the Tour de France.

He averaged 33.5 mph on Friday during the 36-mile individual time trial from Freiburg, Germany, to this French border town.

It was the fastest pace at that distance in the 87-year history of cycling's most prestigious event. Only Greg LeMond, America's first Tour champion, had done better -- 33.8 mph during the 1989 time trial but on a course less than half Friday's length.

Armstrong, who overcame cancer to win last year's race, holds an overall lead of 6 minutes, 2 seconds, and looks virtually unbeatable with just two days before the finish in Paris on Sunday.

Moscow's Robinson leads Idaho to title

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Brenda Robinson of Moscow led the Idaho team to the Basketball Congress International's national title on Thursday as Idaho beat Texas 59-47 in the championship game.

Robinson, a senior-to-be, was named the MVP and to the tournament's all-America team. She racked up 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals in the title game.

This is the third time in a row that Idaho has won a BCI national title. Robinson has played on the last two championship clubs.

This Texas club was the same team Idaho beat in last year's title game.

Fiji president urges Olympic disruptions

SUVA, Fiji -- Coup leader George Speight called Friday for indigenous people throughout the South Pacific to unite and threatened to join forces with Australia's Aborigines to disrupt the Sydney Olympics.

It wasn't clear, however, that he had their support.

The nation's new president later went on national radio to appeal for unity. The speech by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, the frail 80-year-old tribal chief with Parkinson's disease, did nothing to dampen speculation he is seriously ill. He admitted he was too sick to swear in his new Cabinet earlier in the week, and switched the address from television to radio at the last minute.

Welch, Johnson prepare for long trial

SALT LAKE CITY -- Tom Welch bitterly reflected on his fate as an alleged "common criminal" after his indictment Thursday for the Olympic bribery scandal.

Welch, who was president of Salt Lake's Olympic bid committee, and Dave Johnson, his vice president, each were accused of 15 charges after they rejected a plea bargain.

Friends say the pair will never admit to any wrongdoing.

Welch, 55, the wealthy former corporate lawyer once lauded for stopping at nothing to win the 2002 Olympic Winter Games for Utah, abandoned a corporate career at Smith's Food and Drug and received no compensation for most of his 10-year Olympic quest.

Supercross comes to valley tonight

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A field including a three-time national champion will be on hand this evening for Supercross Saturday Night, beginning at 7:30 at the Lewiston Roundup Grounds.

Both professional and amateur racers will take part in the event. Lance Smail, a three-time American Motorcycle Association national champion, and Jimmy LaMastus, currently ranked third in the AMA four-stroke national championship, are expected to be on hand.

Gates will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $11 at the gate or $9 in advance. Children 12 and under will be admitted for $5 while those 6 and under will be allowed in free of charge.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Barton Brothers and Ray's Cycle in Lewiston, Mac's Cycle in Clarkston, Palouse County Sports in Moscow and Mountain Motor Sports in Orofino.

Former umps face all-or-nothing deal

NEW YORK -- John Hirschbeck, president of the new umpires union, said Friday he would negotiate a new labor contract without settling the case of the 22 unless the old umpires' union accepted baseball's offer to rehire just 10 of the umps by Aug. 1.

Pat Campbell, the lawyer for the old union, Richie Phillips' Major League Umpires Association, rejected the tentative deal agreed to by baseball and the new union, the World Umpires Association.

Umpires voted the MLUA out in February, but under federal law the old union remains in charge of the grievance against baseball to regain the jobs of the 22.

Yankees get Hill for two minor leaguers

NEW YORK -- In a trade aimed at bolstering their bench, the New York Yankees acquired Glenallen Hill from the Chicago Cubs on Friday for minor league pitchers Ben Ford and Ozwaldo Mairena.

General manager Brian Cashman said he would continue to work the phones in an effort to obtain a left fielder to replace Shane Spencer, who is out for the season. Hill can play that position, but has historically been a below-average defensive player.

The trading deadline is July 31 for deals that do not require waivers.

NFL cuts suspension of Titans' Walker

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The NFL reduced Tennessee Titans cornerback Denard Walker's suspension from two games to one Friday.

The league suspended Walker and three other players on March 14 in an effort to crack down on off-field problems.

Walker pleaded guilty last summer to assault for an incident involving the mother of his son.

He said he now can focus on keeping his job at left cornerback against competition from Donald Mitchell and Dainon Sidney.

Former Duke aide takes over Blue Hens

NEWARK, Del. -- Former Duke University assistant David Henderson was chosen as men's basketball coach at the University of Delaware on Friday.

Henderson, 36, served as an assistant to Duke's Mike Krzyzewski for the last three seasons. He also played for the Blue Devils from 1983-86, and was co-captain of Duke's 1986 Final Four team.

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