Sprinters Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis avoided a rematch of their recent Rome duel, winning separate heats in the 100 meters at an international meet Tuesday night in Rieti, Italy. Johnson, who ran a world-record 9.83 seconds in the 100 at the recent World Track and Field Championships, had little trouble dominating the first heat and was timed in 10.35. Lewis won his heat in 10.05. Johnson refused to race with Lewis, saying he was too tired and did not want tough competition. Lewis said he was disappointed at Johnson`s decision: ”I was ready to run against him any time, but when I arrived here I found that there were two separate heats and I was told that they were going to run one in one and one in the other.” Tuesday`s meet featured many stars of the world championships, which ended Sunday, but most of them appeared tired and not at their best. The biggest disappointment was Soviet pole vaulter Sergei Bubka, the world champion and world record-holder, who failed to clear in his three starting tries at 18-4 1/2 and was eliminated. American Earl Bell won at 18-8 1/4.
The University of Texas withdrew its appeal to the NCAA in the James Lott eligibility case because it has learned of the existence of a contract between the defensive back and a sports agent, said Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds. ”When we formulated the appeal,” Dodds said, ”we were basing it on the fact that James had only received a loan. It is now clear that a contract did exist between James and the agents.” . . . Michigan State`s All-Big 10 punter, Greg Montgomery, has been charged with a misdemeanor for his role in an Aug. 29 accident that totaled two vehicles. He was charged with ”improper starting of a vehicle” for starting up a construction truck that lurched forward and ran into another car and a tree before it came to a stop, authorities said. The charge is a lesser offense than the original joyriding charge police had sought, but Montgomery still faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $100 fine if convicted. No court date has been set. Montgomery averaged 52 yards a punt during Monday night`s 27-13 victory over Southern Cal. . . . USC linebacker Rex Moore, who led the Trojans in tackles last year, underwent surgery Tuesday for a fractured leg suffered in Monday night`s game and is expected to miss the rest of the season. . . . Louisiana State tailback Harvey Williams, leading rusher for the sixth-ranked Tigers, violated a team rule and will not start Saturday against Cal State-Fullerton. Vladimir Krutov scored a goal and assisted on two others in Hamilton, Ontario, to lead the Soviet Union to a 4-2 victory over Sweden and a berth in the final of the Canada Cup hockey tournament. The Soviets await a Friday night date in Montreal with the winner of Wednesday night`s Canada-Czechoslovakia semifinal. . . . The New York Rangers traded defenseman Pat Price to the Minnesota North Stars for right wing Willi Plett. Price, acquired March 5 from Quebec, played 13 games for New York last season. Plett, the National Hockey League`s 1977 Rookie of the Year, had 6 goals and 5 assists in 67 games last season with a team-leading 263 penalty minutes. . . . The Toronto Maple Leafs traded defenseman Bill Root to Hartford for left wing Dave Semenko. . . . The Detroit Red Wings signed their top choice from last June`s entry draft, 18-year-old defenseman Yves Racine.
Two bills authorizing construction of football and baseball stadiums in downtown Baltimore can`t be put on referendum in the 1988 general election, the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled. The 6-1 decision clears the way for the state to push ahead with plans for building a new baseball stadium for the Baltimore Orioles and to pursue a National Football League franchise. Construction of each stadium is contingent on getting a tenant to sign a long- term lease. If both stadiums are built, the cost is estimated to exceed $200 million.
The 25th annual Chick Evans Pro-Am, rained out last month before the start of the Beatrice Western Open, has been rescheduled for Sept. 19 at the Knollwood Club in Lake Forest.
The St. Louis Steamers of the Major Indoor Soccer League were sold to a group of investors headed by Bing Devine, a former executive of both the baseball and football Cardinals. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Closing of the purchase is contingent upon certain conditions, including approval of the MISL based upon completion of financing arrangements. Devine was general manager of the St. Louis baseball Cardinals in the 1960s and 1970s. More recently he was president of the football Cardinals.
New York Attorney General Robert Abrams will go to court to stop New Zealand yachtsman Michael Fay`s bid to force the San Diego Yacht Club to hold the America`s Cup race next year. Abrams said he`ll argue in court Wednesday that Fay`s plan to hold the race two to three years before San Diego wants to-in a two-nation contest with larger boats-would violate established precedent.
