briefs.sept18

Dunn wins sprints; James wraps up title

BENTON, Mo. -- Lee Dunn drove past points leader Robbie Standridge on the third lap and dominated the field of sprint cars from there to win Saturday at Auto Tire and Parts Racepark.

The win was Dunn's third of the season.

Alex Shanks and Standridge each took turns in the lead early before giving way to Dunn, who led by as much as a half-lap by the finish.

Terry James wrapped up the season points championship for the limited late model class after he won that division's feature race. Greg King gave up an early lead because of transmission trouble, and Billy Beard's lead lasted just six laps before James took over.

Chris Hall drove from third place to first at the finish to win for the fourth time this season in the modified division. Hall, in the middle of a pack of five lead cars, found a fast line coming out of the fourth turn and passed Andy Tennison and John Barnett.

Greg Casey found a comfortable groove at the bottom of the track and led all 15 laps in the pure stock class.

Garrett Moll and Wesley Short won in the cruiser class after finishing second twice this season. Complete results in Scoreboard on Page 3B.

SEMO baseball squad faces rugged schedule

Southeast Missouri State University's 2002 baseball schedule, which was released Monday, could be the toughest in school history.

In addition to the normal Ohio Valley Conference opponents, the Indians will face some of the nation's traditionally top programs in the form of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Wichita State.

The Indians will also face several other traditionally strong non-league teams in Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri and Southwest Missouri.

The season opens Feb. 15 at Oklahoma as a three-game series gets under way. The Indians' first home action will be March 1 against Northern Iowa.

The complete schedule appears in Scoreboard on Page 3B.

Gilbert among finalists for elite NCAA award

Former Cape Girardeau resident Sunny Gilbert has been named as one of 10 finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year.

Gilbert was a cross country and track standout at Missouri before graduating last May. She was a 2001 NCAA national indoor champion in the distance medley relay. She also finished 11th at the NCAA outdoor championships.

The award, which will be announced Oct. 21, recognizes achievements in athletics, academics and community service.

ITF to use three types of balls

A tournament's surface will determine which of three types of balls are used under a new International Tennis Federation rule prompted by powerful serves.

The ITF voted at its annual general meeting, this weekend in Cancun, Mexico, to use ball type 1 (fast speed), ball type 2 (medium speed) and ball type 3 (slow speed) for future play.

The balls will slow down the power and speed of serves on hard courts and grass but speed up the game on slower surfaces, such as clay.

Missouri reschedules Michigan State

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri and Michigan State have agreed to reschedule last weekend's postponed football game for noon on Dec. 1 in East Lansing, Mich.

The game was originally supposed to be played Sept. 15, but was called off as the nation grieved following last week's terrorist attacks.

The Dec. 1 date creates an unlikely conflict for the Missouri Tigers. That's the date of the Big 12 Championship. If Missouri qualifies for the championship game, then the Michigan State game will be called off.

-- From staff, wire reports