National sports
Montgomery taking drug appeal to international arbitration panel
Tim Montgomery will go to an international arbitration panel to contest a possible lifetime ban sought by U.S. doping officials. Montgomery’s San Francisco-based legal team informed the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency of its decision Monday to appeal to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport. “We are taking this step because we believe that USADA’s conduct … has been so egregious as to remove any confidence that Tim could be fairly treated in this process,” said Montgomery’s attorney, Howard Jacobs. “By turning to CAS, we hope that Tim will have the best opportunity to clear his name in a fair and impartial proceeding.” A decision by CAS’ international arbitrators is final and can’t be appealed. Montgomery was one of four sprinters who received a letter last week informing them that USADA was seeking a lifetime ban. The others were Michelle Collins, the 2003 world indoor champion at 200 meters; Alvin Harrison, the 2000 Olympic 400-meter silver medalist; and Chryste Gaines, a two-time Olympic relay medalist. Gaines’ attorney, Cameron Myler, did not return a call for comment Monday. An attorney for Collins said last week that he would seek an arbitration hearing. Harrison’s legal team asked last Friday for arbitration under USA Track & Field rules, generally perceived to be more favorable to athletes, instead of USADA’s. It’s the first time the agency has filed charges against an athlete who has not failed or refused to take a drug test.
Golf
Montie earns spot in British Open
Colin Montgomerie survived a 12-man playoff to earn a trip to his home course at Royal Troon in Sunningdale, England, while Luke Donald of England was among 15 players who qualified for the British Open from a surprisingly short field of United States players at Congressional.
It was the first time the British Open had qualifying around the world in an effort to give more players a chance to play. Among those who failed to qualify were former Masters champions Bernhard Langer, Jose Maria Olazabal and Ian Woosnam, along with Justin Rose and Jesper Parnevik.
The PGA Tour qualifier had 120 players, but only 68 showed up. Royal & Ancient officials said they would investigate why there so many no-shows, and those players could be banned from playing next year.
Mathias Gronberg holed a bunker shot for eagle on No. 10, sending him to a 31 on the back nine of the famed Blue Course at Congressional to share medalist honors with Carl Petterson and Spike McRoy at 9-under 134.
Others who qualified at Congressional were former PGA champion Steve Elkington; Rod Pampling; Bo Van Pelt; Matt Goggin; Tim Herron; Hunter Mahan; Aaron Baddeley; Skip Kendall; Glen Day; Bob Estes; and Cameron Beckman.
At Sunningdale, Mark Foster, Paul Broadhurst and Nicolas Colsaerts shot 9-under 134 to share medalist honors.
“ Two-time major champion David Graham remained hospitalized in Concord, Mass., after he became ill during the final round of a Champions Tour tournament.
The 58-year-old Australian was on the eighth hole Sunday of the Bank of America Championship when he became ill and was taken from the course in an ambulance to Emerson Hospital in Concord.
Basketball
Elie added to Warriors’ staff
Former NBA player Mario Elie was hired as an assistant for new coach Mike Montgomery’s staff with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
Elie played two of his 11 seasons with the Warriors, teaming up with Chris Mullin, the team’s new executive vice president of basketball operations. Elie was on three NBA championship teams and served as an assistant last season with San Antonio.
FOOTBALL
Record set in Arena Bowl win
Mark Grieb set a record with eight touchdown passes, James Roe caught five to tie three more records and the San Jose SaberCats beat the Arizona Rattlers 69-62 Sunday in Phoenix for their second ArenaBowl title in three years.
After nearly an hour of unrelenting offense, the final minute of the Arena Football League championship turned on defense.
Arizona scored with 31 seconds left to get within 63-62, but coach Danny White opted for a 2-point conversion. Sherdrick Bonner rolled left and passed low to Hunkie Cooper, but San Jose’s Omarr Smith broke up the pass.
Then San Jose guard Chuck Reed took the ensuing onside kick, lumbering 7 yards to score with 30 seconds remaining.
But Dan Frantz missed the point-after, leaving Arizona within seven points.
As time ticked off, Bonner found Orshawante Bryant for three first downs — the last a 15-yard catch setting up the Rattlers on the San Jose 2 with two seconds left. Rashied Davis smothered Hunkie Cooper on Arizona’s final play, knocking down Bonner’s pass as the clock expired.
Track and field
Bramlett wins Grand Prix hurdles
American Ron Bramlett won the 110-meter hurdles in 13.43 seconds at the Josef Odlozil Memorial Grand Prix II meet in Prague, Czech Republic.
Morocco’s Youssef Baba won the 1,500, finishing in 3:38.79. Darko Radomirovic of Serbia-Montenegro was second in 3:38.98, and Czech Michal Sneberger placed third in 3:39.46.
Miscellany
Rison faces more legal troubles
An arrest warrant has been issued in Atlanta for former NFL receiver Andre Rison, who owes $184,787 in two states for overdue child support payments, attorney’s fees and interest.
“The Chicago Bears signed second-round draft pick Tank Johnson to a five-year contract. The defensive end from Washington was the 47th overall selection in the NFL draft.
“The Dallas Stars of the NHL re-signed center Niko Kapanen to a one-year contract. Kapanen had one goal and five assists in 67 games with the Stars last season.
“The Anaheim Mighty Ducks agreed to terms on a two-year contract with center Andy McDonald. McDonald had nine goals and 21 assists in 79 games last season.
“Former World Boxing Association flyweight champion Eric Morel and two of his relatives were charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in 2002.