Sports in brief: Vick a free man, awaits meeting

NFL: Michael Vick had the electronic monitor removed from his ankle Monday, making him a free man. Vick’s release after serving 23 months on a dogfighting conviction – the last 60 days in home confinement – came a week before NFL training camps open for veterans.

At 29 years old, Vick could play several more years in the league. That begins with a face-to-face meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell, who has said he wants to see remorse and evidence of change from the player he suspended indefinitely. The last time they met, about two years ago, Vick denied his dogfighting involvement. Goodell has repeatedly said he would meet with Vick only after he completed his prison sentence, but it’s unclear when that meeting will take place.

Associated Press

Cheney’s Gray continues roll

Rodeo: Cheney cowboy Ryan Gray continued his hot streak and moved into the top 10 in the bareback standings.

Gray pocketed $7,709 at the California Rodeo Salinas, which concluded Sunday, and is tied for the first-round lead at the Cheyenne Frontier Days. He also won more than $2,000 at the Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho.

The big weekend moved him past the $50,000 mark and into ninth place as he guns for a fifth-straight trip to the National Finals Rodeo.

Colbert tie-down roper Tyson Durfey won a go-round at Nampa and placed in a round at Salinas to pocket more than $5,500, pushing him to eighth in the standings with more than $47,000.

Dave Trimmer

Cougars’ Casto has knee surgery

Basketball: Washington State University sophomore DeAngelo Casto underwent arthroscopic surgery Friday in Pullman to repair damage in the lateral and medial meniscus of his right knee.

Casto suffered the injury while playing with the United States U19 team in the FIBA World Championship in New Zealand earlier this month.

Rehabilitation is expected to take between 10 and 12 weeks. WSU team doctor Ed Tingstad performed the surgery.

Vince Grippi

Shock playoff tickets on sale

Arena football: The Spokane Shock announced single-game playoff tickets will go on sale to the general public today at noon through TicketsWest.

Tickets for the playoff games range from $9-$55 and can be purchased by phone (800-325-SEAT), online (ticketswest.com), or in person at any TicketsWest outlet.

The Shock will host the Stockton Lightning in their first-round playoff game Aug. 1 at 7 p.m.