Briefs | Former cyclist Tammy Thomas convicted in steroids case

Cycling

Thomas shouts at jurors: Former cyclist Tammy Thomas was convicted Friday of lying to a grand jury investigating a steroid-distribution ring that has implicated some of the biggest stars in sports.

Thomas, the first person connected to the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO) case to go to trial, shouted at jurors in the San Francisco courtroom after they found her guilty of three counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice.

Thomas was acquitted of two counts of perjury.

"I already had one career taken away from me," she yelled. "Look me in the eye. You can't do it."

Thomas then turned to a prosecutor and shouted, "Look me in the eye ... You like to destroy people's lives."

Prosecutors had no comment after they left the courtroom.

Thomas was banned from cycling for life in August 2002 after the performance-enhancing drug Norbolethone was detected in her urine.

Phinney surgery: The first stage of surgery to help cycling great Davis Phinney in his battle with Parkinson's disease was successful, the same day the International Cycling Union released rankings that confirmed Phinney's 17-year-old son, Taylor, is about to become a U.S. Olympian.

Surgeons at Stanford University Medical Center in California spent about 4 ½ hours embedding two wires in a section of Davis Phinney's brain, doing so without complication.

Next week, they will attach a pacemaker to those wires, and when that machine gets turned on later this month, doctors said they believe some of the 48-year-old's Parkinson's symptoms will be immediately relieved.

Boxing

Mosley sues BALCO founder Conte: "Sugar" Shane Mosley is accusing convicted steroids dealer Victor Conte of slander for telling newspapers he saw the boxer knowingly inject steroids.

BALCO founder Conte said he stands by the comments he made.

Hockey

U.S. routs Germany: Jenny Potter, Meghan Duggan and Karen Thatcher each scored twice to help the United States beat Germany 8-1 in its opening Pool B game in the women's world championship in Harbin, China.

College football

LSU's Perrilloux to return after spring game: Louisiana State quarterback Ryan Perrilloux will miss today's spring game and will be back as a member of the team Sunday.

Coach Les Miles suspended Perrilloux in mid-February after he allegedly missed a team meeting, skipped some classes and was late for workouts.

Florida's Harvin to have surgery: Florida receiver Percy Harvin will have heel surgery next week, but Gators coach Urban Meyer said he expects Harvin to be fine for fall practice.

Arkansas changes schedule: Arkansas is bumping Texas from its 2009 schedule so the Razorbacks can play Texas A&M in the start of a new series. The postponed game might not be rescheduled until 2013 or later, officials said.

Tennis

Nadal, Davydenko advance: Rafael Nadal of Spain advanced to Sunday's final at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Fla., by beating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 7-6 (8-6), 6-2. Nadal will face Russian Nikolay Davydenko, who beat American Andy Roddick 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.

In the women's final today, American Serena Williams will face Jelena Jankovic of Serbia.

Weightlifting

Greek coach is suspended: Greek coach Christos Iakovou, 60, was suspended after 11 Greek weightlifters tested positive for banned substances.

Soccer

Wambach leads U.S.: Abby Wambach scored two goals as the U.S. women beat Jamaica 6-0 in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in their first CONCACAF women's Olympic qualifying match.

Nicole Barnhart posted the shutout.

Bank of Beckham: David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy earns 50 times Major League Soccer's average salary, even with it rising 12 percent this year to $129,395. Beckham's guaranteed MLS income this year is $6.5 million.

College athletics

Alleva is set to guide LSU: Joe Alleva, 54, is leaving Duke to become Louisiana State's athletic director. He will replace Skip Bertman, who is retiring in June.

Alleva's hiring must be approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors, which meets April 25.

Seattle Times news services