Sports in brief: Armstrong wins at worlds, says she will retire

Cycling: University of Idaho graduate Kristin Armstrong, 36, won the women’s time trial at the road cycling world championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland, on Wednesday, then confirmed she will retire after competing in this weekend’s road race.

The reigning Olympic champion timed 35 minutes, 26.09 seconds over two laps of the 16.7-mile course, beating Noemi Cantele of Italy by 55 seconds.

“I can’t think of any better way of saying goodbye to the sport,” Armstrong said, cradling her gold medal with both hands as she spoke.

“I had a little bit of motivation today. Now I hope another American can come out on top on Saturday.”

No. 1 vs. No. 2 at NIC Saturday

College volleyball: No. 1-vs.-No. 2 showdowns don’t happen too often in any sport, but one will take place Saturday when No. 2 North Idaho College volleyball entertains No. 1 College of Southern Idaho at 3 p.m. at Christianson Gym.

NIC (17-3) has split two matches with regional rival CSI (16-2).

The Cardinals moved up one spot to No. 2 in the latest NJCAA rankings by knocking off CSI and defending national champion Blinn last week at a tournament in Twin Falls. CSI held on to the top spot by going 3-1 at the tourney.

Saturday is also Pack the House night and one member of the crowd brings a distinguished resume.

Tayyiba Haneef-Park, who played on Long Beach State’s 1998 NCAA championship team and earned a silver medal with the U.S. indoor squad at the Beijing Olympics, will be on hand.

Haneef-Park and Brandy Kosty, wife of NIC coach Chris Kosty, were teammates at Long Beach State.

Jim Meehan

Barkley to be back vs. WSU

College footbal: In head coach Pete Carroll’s eyes, USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley is ready to return from his bruised throwing shoulder.

Carroll has seen enough good things from Barkley during this week to tab him to start in Saturday night’s game against Washington State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – even though Barkley still doesn’t look like his usual, rifle-armed self.

“He’s ready to go,” Carroll said Wednesday. “It’s clear that he had a very good day today, feels good about it, and off and running we go.”

Carroll conceded that Barkley’s throwing motion remains “controlled.”

“We are trying to make sure that he makes it through the practice (week),” Carroll said.

“But he is able to throw all the throws that we are doing in the game plan, so he’s OK.”

Orange County Register