BOWLING
Bowling great Don Carter dies at 85: MIAMI (AP) — Bowling great Don Carter has died at 85.
The Professional Bowlers Association said Friday that Carter died at his home in Miami on Thursday night. He recently was hospitalized with pneumonia complicated by emphysema.
Carter was bowling’s original superstar. He became his sport’s most recognizable name when bowling was a fixture on TV. Carter became a leading force in the formation of the PBA in 1958.
Carter had an unorthodox bowling style, featuring a bent elbow and a deep knee bend to almost push the ball down the lane.
He was voted Bowler of the Year six times, served as the PBA’s first president and became a charter member of the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975.
BOXING
Boxer Mayweather avoids jail time until June: LAS VEGAS (AP) — Undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. has avoided jail time until June 1 in a Las Vegas domestic violence case involving an attack on his ex-girlfriend while two of their children watched in September 2010.
The 34-year-old fighter had been scheduled to turn himself in Friday to begin serving a 90-day sentence imposed last month.
A judge said she weighed Mayweather’s contractual obligations to the fight set for May in Las Vegas against an as-yet unnamed opponent.
Mayweather’s lawyer pleaded with the judge to allow Mayweather to fulfill commitments regarding the fight, emphasizing the economic benefit to Las Vegas when Mayweather fights.
Mayweather pleaded guilty Dec. 21 to a reduced battery domestic violence charge and no contest to two harassment charges.
The plea deal saw prosecutors drop felony and misdemeanor charges that could have gotten Mayweather 34 years in prison.
Mendoza: Khan deserves rematch over fight scandal: LONDON (AP) — The vice president the World Boxing Association says Amir Khan deserves a rematch against Lamont Peterson after fresh questions were raised about the legitimacy of the American’s victory in their light-welterweight title fight.
The WBA is studying images of an unidentified man accused by Khan of interfering with the judges and leaning over WBA supervisor Michael Welsh during the fight in Washington on Dec. 10.
WBA’s Gilberto Jesus Mendoza says the man in question is unknown to his organization and that “there were a lot of things that make this fight controversial.” He says it would be the “right decision at the moment” if a rematch is ordered.
Khan lost the fight on a split decision after being docked two points for pushing.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Patriots’ O’Brien, Penn State finalizing contract: STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien has agreed to become Penn State’s first new head football coach in nearly a half-century.
Two people in the NFL with knowledge of the search told The Associated Press on Friday morning that O’Brien has told them he plans to replace fired coach Joe Paterno. Another person familiar with the search told the AP terms and details still needed to be set, and that deal could be finalized Friday night or Saturday.
The persons spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the search.
ESPN, citing unnamed sources, first reported Thursday night an official announcement would be made Saturday, and that O’Brien would remain with the Patriots as an assistant through the postseason. Two people have told the AP the report was credible.
TENNIS
Williams, Federer among the ailing before AustOpen: BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Serena Williams has a badly sprained left ankle, Roger Federer an aching back and Kim Clijsters a sore left hip.
Add in a limping-but-”I’ll be OK” Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal playing with a sore left shoulder from the end of last season and the advance tournaments for the Australian Open are beginning to look like a star-studded hospital waiting room.
Williams’ injury seems to be the most serious of the bunch, and could affect her chances of winning the singles title for the sixth time at Melbourne Park. She rolled over on it badly in the second round at the Brisbane International and pulled out of the tournament several hours later.
GOLF
Oosthuizen leads with 62 at African Open: EAST LONDON, South Africa (AP) — Defending champion Louis Oosthuizen shot an 11-under 62 Friday to take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the Africa Open.
The South African had nine birdies and an eagle on the East London Golf Club course to lead Retief Goosen (68) and three others.
Oosthuizen missed equaling Richard Sterne’s course record by a shot, moving to 131 overall at the European Tour’s season-opening event. The former British Open champion capped his round when he drove the green and sank a 50-foot putt for eagle on the par-4 sixth.
Goosen moved to 13-under and shares second with Thomas Aiken, Jaco Ahlers and Tjaart van der Walt.
SOCCER
Rooney, United deny striker will quit Old Trafford: MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Wayne Rooney issued a joint statement with Manchester United denying he’s set to leave the Premier League champions.
The action was prompted by a story in Saturday’s edition of the Independent claiming that there are cracks in the relationship between Rooney and United manager Alex Ferguson.
The statement says “any suggestion that Manchester United and Wayne Rooney are to part company is complete nonsense” and that the England striker and Ferguson “have always had and retain the utmost respect for each other and look forward to working together in the coming seasons.”
The 26-year-old Rooney tweeted: “The independent are talking absolute rubbish,” before reiterating his commitment to United.
Noyola, Wenger win Hermann Trophy: ST. LOUIS (AP) — Stanford senior midfielder Teresa Noyola and Duke junior forward Andrew Wenger are the winners of the Hermann Trophy as the top NCAA Division I soccer players.
The awards, announced Friday by the Missouri Athletic Club, were decided in voting by NCAA Division I soccer coaches whose programs are members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Noyola, the third straight Stanford winner following Kelley O’Hara (2009) and Christen Press (2010), scored the winning goal in the College Cup final against Florida State to lead the Cardinal to their first national championship. Noyola had nine goals and 15 assists last season. She played for Mexico last year in the Women’s World Cup.
Wenger led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 17 goals and 42 points and ranked fourth nationally in points and sixth in goals. He’s the fourth Duke player to win the crystal soccer ball trophy.
