Phelps, Ledecky star at Pan Pacific
Swimming: Michael Phelps completed his comeback meet in international competition with a gold medal in the medley relay to cap off a Sunday night program that kicked off with Katie Ledecky setting her second world record within 24 hours at the Pan Pacific championships in Gold Coast, Australia.
The 17-year-old Ledecky sliced almost 6 seconds off her own world mark by winning the 1,500-meter freestyle in 15 minutes, 28.36 seconds a day after lowering her record in the 400 freestyle. She finished the meet with five gold medals.
“I knew it was my last race of the meet, and last race of the season,” Ledecky said. “I’ve had a really good season. I wanted to finish on a good note.”
Phelps started his night with a narrow loss in the 200 medley, finishing two-hundredths of a second behind Kosuke Hagino’s winning time of 1:56.02, but finished it off by swimming the butterfly leg of the medley relay and helping the U.S. continue its domination of the event.
The 29-year-old Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, finished the meet with three gold medals – the 100 butterfly, 4x200 and medley relays – and silvers in the 200 IM and the 4x100 relay.
He said it was a good haul considering he only returned to competitive swimming in April after 1 1/2 years in retirement.
“It was, I think, a successful year,” Phelps said. “Obviously, I’d like to win every single race I swim in. But, (that) doesn’t always happen. It was a learning experience, that’s most important.”
The medley relays were the last events on the program after the open water section was postponed to Aug. 31 in Maui because of concerns over water quality following three days of wet and windy weather on the Gold Coast.
The medals were spread among five countries on the last day – with Brazil and Canada getting on top of the podium for the first time through Bruno Fratus’ win in the 50 free and Ryan Cochrane’s victory in the 800.
The United States topped the medal standings with 14 gold and 40 overall, with Maya Dirado winning the women’s 200 IM Sunday to go with the golds from Ledecky and the men’s relay. Australia placed second with 10 gold and 26 medals overall, followed by Japan with seven gold medals and a total of 19.
Van Garderen defends title
Cycling: American Tejay van Garderen claimed his second straight USA Pro Challenge with a sixth place in the concluding sunny and warm Boulder-to-Denver road race seventh stage in Colorado. Alex Howes won the 78-mile stage. Van Garderen was victorious over Tom Danielson by 1 minute and 32 seconds.
• Bouhanni takes lead in Spain: Nacer Bouhanni of France sprinted to victory in the second stage of the Spanish Vuelta in San Fernando, Spain, while Alejandro Valverde claimed the red leader’s jersey after a ride that didn’t produce any changes among the race favorites.
Morgan State lineman dies
College Football: Morgan State University in Maryland says freshman defensive lineman Marquese Meadow has died. Meadow had been hospitalized for the last two weeks after becoming disoriented during a workout. He was 18.
• Nichols objects to settlement: Former San Diego State football player Anthony Nichols wants a judge to reject the proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA, saying it will deny billions in damages to athletes who suffered head injuries.
Under the settlement proposed in July, the NCAA would set aside $70 million to diagnose current and former athletes for brain trauma.
Mercury complete sweep of Sparks
WNBA: Brittney Griner scored a career playoff-high 21 points, including a breakaway two-handed dunk, and the visiting Phoenix Mercury cruised to a 93-68 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks in Game 2 to complete a sweep in their Western Conference semifinals series.
• Dream stop Sky: Angel McCoughtry scored a career-high 39 points, and the Atlanta Dream beat the host Chicago Sky 92-83 to even their playoff series at one game apiece.
• Quigley wins Sixth Woman: Chicago Sky guard Allie Quigley earned WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year honors. She averaged 11.2 points per game this season.
Bolt won’t race again this season
Miscellany: Usain Bolt has decided to end his injury-plagued track season early, having competed in just three races in 2014.
Organizers for Thursday’s Diamond League meeting in Zurich said that Bolt had withdrawn from the event’s 100-meter race and will not compete again this season.
• Mikulak takes U.S. gymnastics title: Sam Mikulak successfully defended his U.S. men’s gymnastics title, rallying past Jake Dalton in the final rotation to cap a dramatic comeback in Pittsburgh.
The three-time NCAA champion began the day in fourth place but surged past Dalton and former national champions John Orozco and Danell Leyva with six nearly flawless routines.
• Soccer player killed by thrown object: Soccer player Albert Ebosse of Cameroon died Saturday night after he was hit in the head by an object thrown from the crowd during a game in Algeria’s top league.
His team, JS Kabylie, was playing USM Alger in the northern city of Tizi Ouzou. Kabylie says the forward was hit at the end of the game. Kabylie says a police investigation will be opened.
• Reign advance to final: Kim Little and Megan Rapinoe scored second-half goals as the Seattle Reign rallied to defeat the visiting Washington Spirit 2-1 at Memorial Stadium and move on to the National Women’s Soccer League championship game.
• Shared Belief races to win: Shared Belief won the $1 million Pacific Classic by 2 3/4 lengths at Del Mar, California, improving to 6-0 in his career.