Fast Break

TRACK AND FIELD

Powell runs 9.74 for 100 record

Asafa Powell set another world record in the 100 meters, and suspects he can go even faster.

The world’s fastest man improved his record Sunday, winning a heat at the Rieti Grand Prix in 9.74 seconds despite easing at the end.

“This means that I can do even 9.68,” Powell said. “I’m worth that time, I know it.”

The record comes only two weeks after the Jamaican finished a disappointing third at the track and field world championships in Osaka, Japan.

“I made a couple of mistakes and I corrected them,” said Powell, who lowered the mark by 0.03 seconds, having run 9.77 three times. “That’s what happens when I start to listen to the coach.”

In the final, Powell won in 9.78 – with no tail wind. Powell is only the fourth non-American to hold the 100 world record since 1912. Donovan Bailey of Canada (1996), Armin Hary of West Germany (1960) and Percy Williams of Canada (1930) are the others.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

No. 2 LSU gaining on top-ranked USC

After a surprisingly easy and thoroughly impressive victory over Virginia Tech, No. 2 LSU took 19 first-place votes from No. 1 USC in this week’s AP Top 25.

The Trojans were idle Saturday while the Tigers routed the Hokies 48-7 in Death Valley. USC received 40 first-place votes from the media panel, down from 59 last week, and 1,619 points.

LSU received 25 first-place votes and 1,582 points.

While USC and LSU held their places at the top of the poll, Oklahoma moved up two spots into third while West Virginia slipped a spot to No. 4 and lost its first-place vote to the Tigers.

Defending national champion Florida was No. 5.

BASEBALL

Volcanoes grab NWL title

Brock Bond tripled and scored two runs and the Salem-Keizer bullpen tossed four shutout innings as the Volcanoes captured their second straight Northwest League championship with a 4-2 win over Tri-City at Keizer, Ore.