Chiefs, Vlasic Reach Accord on 2-Year Deal

Mark Vlasic, who failed to earn a starting quarterback opportunity with the Chargers, has agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Vlasic, 2-1 as a starter after being selected in the fourth round of the 1987 draft, was left unprotected by the Chargers as a Plan B free agent and will rejoin former Chargers’ head coach Al Saunders.

“That had something to do with Mark’s decision,” said Mike Merkow, Vlasic’s agent. “Mark feels comfortable with Al and the Chiefs have assured Mark he will have the chance to compete for a starting position.”

Merkow said Vlasic will sign a two-year deal today.

“It was quite apparent that the Chargers have decided to go with Billy Joe Tolliver and John Friesz,” Merkow said. “We had an opportunity to go with Dallas, Cleveland, the Raiders and Kansas City, but felt the best chance for Mark to play was in Kansas City.”

In other developments Wednesday, the Chargers signed free agents Mitchell Benson and Keith McDonald.

Bensen, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound nose tackle from Texas Christian, was a third round draft pick in 1989 by the Indianapolis Colts. He played all 16 games his rookie season and 11 last year before being waved.

McDonald, a 5-9 receiver from San Jose State, signed with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1990 but was released during training camp.

BOWLING

Earl Anthony made up a nearly impossible 104-pin deficit in the final game Wednesday night to become the top-seed for the finals of the $75,000 AMF-HPL Senior PBA Open at Palomar Lanes in Escondido.

Anthony started the 36th and final game trailing Dave Soutar, who took the earlier by beating Anthony, 300-212.

Anthony won the position-round match, 256-175, and at the same time picked up 30 bonus pins for winning the game. That left him with a 8,019 total for 36 games, seven pins in front of Soutar.

Also making the Thursday night ESPN telecast were Darrel Curtis, Glenn Allison, and Lee Taylor.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Shannon Abrams, who led Point Loma Nazarene to its best season in 1990-91, received honorable mention for the NAIA All-America team. Abrams, a 5-10 senior, led PLNC with 19.7 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. She also led the Crusaders in field goal percentage at .490. PLNC lost in the first round of the NAIA Tournament on March 7.

AUTO RACING

Ivan “Ironman” Stewart of Alpine will conduct an off-road racing seminar March 20 (7 p.m.) at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. Stewart, who earned his nickname for his solo jaunts between Ensenada and La Paz, Baja California in the Baja 1,000, will be joined by other off-roaders.

Carroll Selby, an innovator in road racing and one of the winningest drivers of the 1950s and 60s, has been elected tot he San Diego Automotive Museum’s Hall of Fame. Shelby, who began racing at the age of 29, gained attention for designing the Shelby Mustang, Cobra and the Chrysler Shelby. He will be inducted officially April 6.