Auburn hires Iowa State's Chizik

AMES, Iowa — Auburn has hired Iowa State's Gene Chizik as its new football coach, turning to a former defensive coordinator who helped the Tigers forge a perfect season but has won five games in two years as a head coach.

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said that Chizik told him Saturday he was accepting the job at Auburn.

"I'm disappointed for our Iowa State fans and student-athletes that he has chosen to leave our program after only two seasons," Pollard said in a statement. "I understand that it is a dream job for him, but the timing and the way it played out has been hurtful and disappointing."

Chizik will succeed Tommy Tuberville, who resigned following 10 seasons with an 85-40 record.

Klitschko downs Rahman to retain title

MANNHEIM, Germany — Wladimir Klitschko defended his IBF heavyweight crown by stopping Hasim Rahman in the seventh round at SAP Arena on Saturday.

Klitschko hit the shorter, older and heavier Rahman at will throughout, and after landing a left-right-left combination against the cornered American, referee Tony Weeks stepped in to end the contest 44 seconds into the round. Rahman didn't appear upset.

"He knew this was his chance," Klitschko said, "I was surprised, but he was much slower."

Klitschko had knocked down Rahman in the previous round with successive left hooks.

The technical knockout in Klitchsko's sixth defense of the IBF belt — and third this year — improved the Ukrainian-born fighter to 52-3 with 46 KOs.

"He fought a very smart, intelligent fight," said Klitschko's trainer, Emanuel Steward.

Duluth beats NW Missouri State

FLORENCE, Ala. — The celebration was just the beginning for Minnesota Duluth coach Bob Nielson and his team Saturday when the inevitable question was asked about what it means to the university to have won its first NCAA Division II football championship.

"I guess it means we're not a hockey school anymore," Nielson said as players around him began laughing.

Ted Schlafke threw for two touchdowns to lead Minnesota Duluth to its first NCAA Division II football championship with a 21-14 win over Northwest Missouri State.

The Bulldogs (15-0) had never won a Division II playoff football game before this season.

Clark, Vito win GP snowboarding

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — Louie Vito wasn't getting the height he wanted in the halfpipe, so he sought out fellow American snowboarder Kelly Clark for help.

Known for her big air, Clark quickly straightened out his amplitude issues.

"She said, 'Tell yourself you have to do it and do it,' " Vito recounted.

Sound advice that served both of them well. Clark and Vito each went big in snowy conditions to win the halfpipe events at the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix on Saturday.

Clark and Vito are the defending champions in the Grand Prix series, a three-event competition that began at Copper Mountain this season.

Hasay, Haile win cross-country titles

SAN DIEGO — Jordan Hasay overcame a huge deficit to win her second Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, beating a field that included three past champions.

The senior from Mission College Prep in Arroyo Grande, Calif., came from behind in the final 200 meters to pass Allie McLaughlin and defending champion Ashley Brasovan and win the 5-kilometer race in 17 minutes, 22 seconds. She also took the title as a freshman in 2005.

Solomon Haile ran away with the boys' race, winning in 15:15, 7 seconds faster than Trevor Dunbar of Kodiak (Alaska) High and 11 ahead of Thomas Porter of Mountain View High in Fredericksburg, Va.

Haile, from Sherwood High in Silver Spring, Md., was near the front for much of the race and pulled away near the end. The Ethiopian-born senior finished his season undefeated.




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