National sports

Mon., June 28, 2004

Compiled from wire reports The Spokesman-Review

Olympians Plata, Remaly top two in New York City Triathlon

Two weeks ago, Victor Plata qualified for his first Olympic team — and it wasn’t even the highlight of his month.

“I was much more elated coming across the line today,” Plata said Sunday after finishing second to training partner Greg Remaly at the Ford ITU New York City Triathlon.

Earlier in the day, Australian Olympian Loretta Harrop won the women’s race. Harrop, second to American Sheila Taormina at the world championships last month, finished with a time of 1 hour, 55 minutes, 51 seconds to beat runner-up Carolyn Murray of Canada by over 3 minutes.

Remaly won in 1:47:28, and Plata crossed the finish line 21 seconds later, smiling and pointing at his waiting teammate.

Basketball

Bobcats still waiting on Raptors

Sam Mitchell skipped Sunday’s practice with the Charlotte Bobcats, furthering speculation he would become the new head coach of the Toronto Raptors.

Charlotte coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff didn’t confirm that Mitchell has gotten the Raptors job, but the Toronto Sun and Toronto Star both reported that Mitchell, the lead assistant coach with the Bobcats, has been picked to replace Kevin O’Neill as coach of the Raptors.

“Guards Pierre Wooten and Patrick Jackson, forward Anthony Greenup and center Moustapha Diouf were picked to participate in the Bobcats’ rookie/free agent minicamp that begins Tuesday.

Miscellany

Jones second in England

Marion Jones finished second in the long jump at the IAAF Norwich Union Grand Prix meet in Gateshead, England, while Yelena Isinbayeva broke her own world record in the pole vault.

Isinbayeva cleared 15 feet, 11 3/4 inches in windy weather, eclipsing her mark of 15-11 1/4 set in Budapest in March. She also set a world record at Gateshead last year, clearing 15-9 3/4 .

“Milan Baros scored twice in 2 minutes to help the Czech Republic beat Denmark 3-0 in Porto, Portugal, to advance to the semifinals of the European Championships.

“Jaime Lozano scored three goals and Mexico beat Dominica 8-0 in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to advance to the semifinals of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with an 18-0 aggregate score.