Sports Briefing
Wrestler taken into custody

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Olympics

Wrestler taken into custody: A former Olympic wrestler who crashed his sport-utility vehicle into a crowded terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida was hospitalized for psychological evaluation, an official said yesterday.

Alexis Vila, 33, of Williamston, Mich., was taken into custody and had minor scrapes. He ran from his SUV after Sunday's crash. No one else was injured.

Investigators said they don't know why Vila drove into the unmanned Southeast Airlines ticket counter, sheriff's spokesman Jim Leljedal said. Authorities previously said they did not suspect terrorism.

It was unclear whether Vila, who defected from Cuba in 1997, had been charged.

The SUV slammed into a Southeast Airlines ticket counter and smashed through a wall before stopping. Two sheriff's deputies and a federal air marshal tackled Vila as he tried to escape and took him into custody, officials said.

At the Atlanta Olympics eight years ago, Vila won the bronze medal for Cuba in the 105.5-pound division.

College basketball

Ohio State job interests Lavin: Steve Lavin, a former UCLA coach who is an ESPN analyst, said he would like to talk to someone about the vacant Ohio State coaching job when he returns to the United States.

"It's one of those jobs that are just strong across the board," the 39-year-old Lavin said from Mykonos, Greece, where he has been coaching the U.S. under-19 team.
 
WNBA

Stanley to join Liberty staff: Marianne Stanley was hired by the New York Liberty as an assistant coach.

Stanley, who coached the Washington Mystics in 2002 and '03, will work with interim coach Pat Coyle. Coach Richie Adubato was fired Saturday.

NHL

Rangers to hire Renney: Tom Renney, 49, reportedly will have the "interim" tag removed from his title today when he is formally introduced as coach of the New York Rangers.

Coyotes sign Devereaux: Forward Boyd Devereaux, 26, signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes after playing four seasons with Detroit.

Cairns goes to Panthers: Defenseman Eric Cairns, 30, signed with Florida. He played for the New York Islanders last season, and led league defensemen with 189 penalty minutes.

Auto racing

Ward dies at 83: Rodger Ward, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1959 and 1962, died at a hospice in Anaheim, Calif., officials at Indianapolis Motor Speedway said. He was 83.

Ward drove in the Indy 500 for the 15th and final time in 1966, finishing 15th.

The oldest living Indy 500 winner is Jim Rathmann, 75, who won the race in 1960.

Soccer

Iraq coach Stange resigns: Saying he feared for his safety, Bernd Stange said he has resigned as coach of Iraq's team.

Stange had a contract with the Iraqi Soccer Federation that ran until 2006. The German said he was warned his life would be in danger if he returned to Iraq.

Copa America opens: Copa America, a 10-team tournament, starts today in Peru. The opening matches are Colombia-Venezuela and Peru-Bolivia.

Horse racing

Wonder Again prevails: Wonder Again beat Stay Forever by 3-¼ lengths to take the Grade II New York Handicap at Belmont Park in Elmont.

Wonder Again, a 5-year-old mare trained by James Toner and ridden by Edgar Prado, ran 1-¼ miles in 2 minutes, 5-3/5 seconds on the inner turf course, which was rated soft. She paid $9.90 in the $250,000 race.

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