SEMO opens indoor track season today

Southeast Missouri State University's men's and women's indoor track squads will open the 2001-2002 season today with a five-team meet at Arkansas State.

"This is a good opening meet for us," said Southeast coach Joey Haines. "I'm excited about both our men's and women's teams because we have good talent and we are getting great senior leadership."

Police arrest seven in killing of yachtsman

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Police arrested seven men and said they were closing in on another suspect Friday in the slaying of Peter Blake, a yachting champion from New Zealand shot to death by pirates in the Amazon.

"The suspects claimed they fired in self-defense. They said they didn't know anyone famous was aboard and they weren't expecting any resistance," said Federal Police agent Jose Araujo, speaking by phone from Macapa, in Amapa state 1,800 miles northwest of Rio de Janeiro.

Police were led to the suspects after questioning a man they believe was shot by Blake or a crew member during the melee. He has a gunshot wound to the hand.

Another suspect confessed to shooting Blake after the yachtsman opened fire with a rifle, police said.

Former LSU coach McClendon dies at 78

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Charlie McClendon, who coached LSU's football team to a school-record 137 victories, died Friday after a long fight with cancer. He was 78.

Family members said he died at his home here.

McClendon coached at LSU from 1962-79, compiling a 137-59-7 record.

-- From staff, wire reports