Former Crawford Player Hospitalized

Former Crawford High player Alex Bolden was partially paralyzed Thursday when he was injured during football practice at the University of New Mexico.

The extent of the paralysis and whether it is permanent was not known, a University of New Mexico Hospital spokeswoman said.

Bolden suffered a pressure cervical spine injury, Elizabeth Huisman said. She said he had some sensation in his extremities.

Bolden, a 6-foot 2-inch, 192-pound free safety, was injured about 3:30 p.m. as he carried the ball in a tackling drill.

The injury did not appear to be serious at first, but an ambulance was called to the scene several minutes later.

Bolden is to undergo further tests today.

TENNIS

Virginia Glass of San Diego defeated Maria Blom of the Netherlands, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, in Thursday’s semifinal match to advance to the final of the women’s International Tennis Federation Veteran Championships at Lindborg Racquet Club in Huntington Beach.

Glass, playing in the 60-year-old age group, will meet Doris Clark of Laguna Beach in Sunday’s final.

SOCCER

San Diego State opens its season Saturday night against an alumni team in the Aztec Bowl at 7:30.

Fourteen players--including Kyle Whittemore, SDSU’s career scoring leader--return from a team that lost, 2-0, to Clemson in the 1987 NCAA final.

GOLF

Orrin Vincent of San Diego defeated Robin McCool of Bethlehem, Pa., in 19 holes in the first round of match play at the 88th U.S. Amateur Championship in Hot Springs, Va.

Pat Duncan of Rancho Santa Fe lost to Robert Sullivan of Palatine, Ill., 4 and 3.