Fast Break

Track and field

Smith, Carlos honor Norman

Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who gave the historic black power salutes at the 1968 Olympics, were reunited for the last time with the third man on that podium.

Smith and Carlos attended the funeral of Peter Norman, the Australian sprinter who died last week of a heart attack at 64. The two Americans were pallbearers Monday at the funeral attended by 800 in Williamstown, Australia.

“He was a lone soldier in Australia,” Carlos said. “Many people in Australia didn’t particularly understand. Why would that young white fella go over and stand with those black individuals?”

Norman won the silver medal in the 200 meters at the Mexico City Games. Smith set a world record in winning the gold medal and Carlos took the bronze, and their civil rights protest became a flash point of the 1968 Olympics.

College basketball

Prize recruit opts for Vandals

The Idaho Vandals have received an oral commitment from 6-foot-5 small forward Andre McFarland, who is listed on the national rankings of several recruiting Web sites.

McFarland committed to USC last year, but decided to attend Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. He narrowed his choices to Iowa State and Idaho. McFarland played on a Las Vegas-based AAU team coached by first-year UI assistant DeMarlo Slocum.

“That played a part in it, but I felt it was a school I could have a successful career at,” McFarland said.

P’Allen Stinnett, a close friend and AAU teammate, is also considering Idaho and Iowa State. He’s ranked No. 96 on rivals.com’s top 150.

Arena football

Beard signs with Chicago

Former Shock wide receiver/linebacker Kevin Beard has signed a contract with the defending Arena Bowl Champion Chicago Rush.

Beard was a duel threat in the Spokane offense, scoring 13 total touchdowns during the regular season: 10 receiving and three on the ground.