In brief: Nelson finally gets gold medal

Track and field: With one of his young daughters in his arms and the other clinging to his back, American shot putter Adam Nelson finally took his long-awaited victory lap.

Nine years after the Athens Games, Nelson was honored as the 2004 Olympic champion during a ceremony Sunday at the U.S. track and field championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Better late than never,” Nelson said. “The way I look at it is I’ve got the rest of my life to be the gold medalist.”

Nelson was officially elevated to Olympic champion last month, taking the gold that was stripped from a Ukrainian rival for doping. Nelson finished second in Athens behind Yuriy Bilonog, whose gold medal was removed by the International Olympic Committee in December after his reanalyzed sample tested positive for steroids.

“I think the emotions are a little more subdued,” the usually emotional Nelson said. “But it’s been great because I’ve been able to share the experience with my family.”

Associated Press

Prugh shares lead at pro national

Golf: Corey Prugh had six straight birdies and shot an 8-under 63 in light rain Sunday for a share of the first-round lead with Rod Perry in the PGA Professional National Championship in Sunriver, Ore.

Prugh, a PGA assistant professional at Manito Golf and Country Club, and Perry, the PGA head professional at Crane Lakes in Port Orange, Fla., broke the course record on Sunriver Resort’s Meadows course.

Jeff Sorenson, a PGA teaching professional at Columbia in Minneapolis, was a stroke back. He also opened at the Meadows.

Three-time champion Mike Small, 2007 winner Chip Sullivan, 2004 champion Bob Sowards and Mark Sheftic had the best scores on the Crosswater Club course, the site of the final rounds, at 3-under 69.

Associated Press