Joubert tops men’s field in short program
Brian Joubert called his James Bond portrayal perfect. His 007 routine was good enough to shoot down the rest of the field Tuesday in the men’s short program at the World Figure Skating Championships in Calgary, Alberta.
The Frenchman’s victory ensured a scramble in the free skate Thursday. Joubert stands third overall behind defending champion Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland and Japanese newcomer Nobunari Oda, even though Lambiel struggled in the short program and wound up fourth.
Three-time American champion Johnny Weir was sixth, followed by 2005 bronze medalist Evan Lysacek. The third American, Matt Savoie, stood 10th overall.
Earlier, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto took little time out from their busy schedule to go dancing. The Olympic silver medalists placed third in the compulsory waltz, which doesn’t highlight the passion and energy that is their strength.
•Joseph Serafine, a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, died Friday at 88, according to U.S. Figure Skating in Colorado Springs, Colo.
College basketball
Iowa State hires McDermott
Northern Iowa coach Greg McDermott was hired by Iowa State, jumping from the Missouri Valley Conference to the Big 12 after three straight NCAA tournament appearances with the Panthers.
McDermott, 41, was at Northern Iowa for five season. Before his arrival in 2001, Northern Iowa had made one appearance in the Division I NCAA tournament.
•Lamar hired assistant Steve Roccaforte to replace Billy Tubbs as coach, one day after Tubbs retired to end a 31-year coaching career.
•Ben Hunt scored a career-high 34 points, including a 25-footer with 2 seconds left, to lead unseeded Texas Wesleyan past Oklahoma City 67-65 in the men’s championship game of the NAIA tournament at Kansas City, Mo.
•Josephine Owino scored 24 points to help Union (Tenn.) take home its second straight NAIA women’s national championship with a 79-62 win over Lubbock Christian at Jackson, Tenn.
Boxing
Hopkins, Tarver set IBO title bout
Bernard Hopkins (46-4-1, 32 knockouts) said this will be his last fight. Antonio Tarver (24-3, 18 KOs) doesn’t plan to let him have a triumphant finale.
“The stage is set,” Tarver said at a news conference in New York to announce the bout. “The only problem is they picked the wrong guy.”
The two will fight for the IBO light heavyweight championship June 10 in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
Miscellany
Unser announces returns to Indy racing
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. said he will end a two-year retirement and drive at Indy for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.
•J.D. Williams, formerly the secondary coach at California, was hired to coach defensive backs for the Washington football program.