AREA

AREA
Warren JFKwrestlers win
ANDOVER -- The Warren John F. Kennedy High wrestling team won the eight-team Pymatuning Valley Laker Shaker Dual Meet Tournament on Saturday.
JFK prevailed over the field by defeating Perry B (40-31), Independence (33-27), Chagrin Falls (37-36) and Pymatuning Valley (37-32) for the championship.
Kevin Barton, at 152 pounds, won all four of his matches for the Eagles. Winning three were Tim McBride (130 pounds), Mike Walton (140), Sam Rathburn (145), Tom Marianni (171), A.J. Seifert (215) and Chris Knorr (275).
Grand Valley, Ledgemont and South Range also competed in the tournament.
REGION
Penguins' Rozsival has knee surgery
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Michal Rozsival had surgery Friday on his right knee, his second operation on the knee in the three months.
Rozsival had surgery Oct. 2 to repair ligament damage, and hurt the knee again Dec. 19 during a conditioning assignment with the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.
Akron Racersset to return
AKRON-- The return of pro softball won't bring fabulous wealth to the 16 players for the Akron Racers, but the women say they have something to give the community.
The Akron Racers are set to begin play in May at Firestone Stadium, returning to competition for the first time since the Women's Pro Softball League folded in 2001.
General manager Joey Arrietta joined an effort to design the new National Pro Fastpitch League. The players will have a 56-game schedule, which will have them traveling from New York to Colorado to Texas.
The women will also take part in an ambitious program that will try to build better local high school and college softball teams by focusing on youngsters at community centers.
"What's the point of playing if you aren't going to affect somebody?" says Nikki Myers, a 23-year-old pitcher from Tampa, Fla.
"I'm just so happy to play and get paid to do it," she said. "I'll do whatever they want me to do."
In keeping with her plans to make the Racers part of the community, Arrietta is lining up host families for the athletes. Because the women will earn just $5,000 to $12,000 for the summer, Arrietta hopes to keep their living expenses low.
"It gives them some warmth of family. I want them to feel comfortable here," Arrietta says. "I want them to know Akron."
New player Tracee McCoy, 22, already lives in the northeast Ohio city and used to sell merchandise for the former Akron Racers.
"I was paying attention more to the game than doing my job," she confesses. "I wished I was out there. I wished I was one of them. Now I get to be."
OHIO
BG givesBrandon an extension
BOWLING GREEN -- Bowling Green will extend coach Gregg Brandon's contract two years through the 2008 season, the school said Saturday.
The announcement came a day after the Falcons' 28-24 win over Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl.
Contract terms were to be finalized when Brandon and athletic director Paul Krebs return from holiday vacations.
Brandon, Bowling Green's offensive coordinator for two seasons, was promoted a year ago, one week after Urban Meyer left for Utah.
Bowling Green (11-3) tied the school record for wins this season and won the Mid-American Conference West division.
"The university is thrilled with the success and overall direction of the football program under Coach Brandon and his staff," Krebs said.
Before coming to Bowling Green, Brandon was receivers coach at Colorado. He has also coached at Northwestern, Weber State, Wyoming and Utah State.
Rangers inkBrian Jordan
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Outfielder Brian Jordan and the Texas Rangers agreed Saturday to a one-year contract that guarantees him $1,375,000.
The former All-Star hit .299 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 66 games last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers before surgery July 11 for tendinitis in his left knee. He is expected to be at full strength when spring training starts.
"Last year, the surgery was a tough decision, but I had to make a decision based on my career," he said. "It was a decision to get healthy, and start over with a new team at 100 percent."
General manager John Hart said the signing of Jordan, who is expected to play right field, is another indication that the proposed trade of MVP shortstop Alex Rodriguez to Boston really is dead.
Rangers owner Tom Hicks ended talks Tuesday with the Red Sox, who were going to send outfielder Manny Ramirez to Texas.
In 1,271 games over 12 seasons with St. Louis, Atlanta and Los Angeles, Jordan hit .287 with 173 homers and 764 RBIs. He was an All-Star with the Braves in 1999, when he hit .283 with 23 homers and 115 RBIs.
Jordan became a free agent when the Dodgers didn't exercise a $10.5 million option, instead paying a $2.5 million buyout.
After Jordan become a free agent, his agent also spoke with the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals.
Jordan's deal calls for a $1.25 million salary next season, and the contract contains a $4 million mutual option for 2005 with a $125,000 buyout.
He would earn $50,000 bonuses for 400, 450, 500, 550 and 599 plate appearances. In addition, he would get $125,000 if he is traded or has 650 plate appearances.
Texas returns just three outfielders who played last season, two rookies and a second-year player who combined to play just 110 games.
The Rangers also are close to an agreement on a $725,000, one-year contract with outfielder David Dellucci, who played for Texas manager Buck Showalter in Arizona from 1998-2000. Dellucci's deal is expected to be finalized Monday.
Plummer knocked out of game
SAN FRANCISCO -- Cornerback Ahmed Plummer left the San Francisco 49ers' game against Seattle on Saturday with a neck injury.
Plummer, a fourth-year starter, was hurt while blocking during an interception return by linebacker Jeff Ulbrich. Plummer was on the turf for several minutes before walking gingerly to the sideline.
X-rays on Plummer's neck were negative, but he was ruled out of the game. Plummer had four interceptions for 85 yards and a touchdown this season.
Earlier, Seattle lost starting guard Chris Gray to a knee injury.
Purdue playersruled ineligible
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Three Purdue players have been ruled academically ineligible for the Capital One Bowl, including starting cornerback Jacques Reeves.
Reeves is fourth on the team with 64 tackles and also has two interceptions.
The other two players the school ruled ineligible -- defensive tackle Dontrey Flemings and offensive lineman Nick Pilipauskis -- have played sparingly this season.
Purdue (9-3) plays Georgia (10-3) on Jan. 1 in Orlando, Fla.
Staff/wire reports