Buck Retires from U.S. Volleyball Team

Craig Buck, two-time Olympic gold medalist, announced his retirement from the U.S. national volleyball Tuesday, leaving Steve Timmons as the only player in pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal.

“I have been playing volleyball for 20 years and time finally caught up with me,” said Buck, 33, a 6-foot-8 middle blocker from Tarzana. “It was time for the young guys to get their turn. This was the toughest decision of my life, and I wish the team all the best in Barcelona.”

Buck, a two-time All-American at Pepperdine, had been with the U.S. national team since 1980 and played three years on the junior national before that. He was an all-tournament selection at the 1986 World Championships. He was also named 1990 U.S. Olympic Committee Male Volleyball Player of the Year. Buck cited health and stiff competition from Bryan Ivie and Bob Samuelson as reasons for retiring.

TENNIS

Julie McKeon and Laura Richards of the University of San Diego advanced to the doubles quarterfinals of the NCAA women’s Division I tournament, defeating Kansas’ Eveline Hamers and Rebecca Jensen, 6-0, 6-1.

McKeon-Richards will play 20th-ranked Shawn McCarthy and Stacy Sheppard of Georgia in today’s quarterfinals. They advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Charla Sharla Barone and Paloma Collantes of Mississippi. McCarthy is ranked No. 1 in singles.

By reaching the quarterfinals, McKeon-Richards have assured themselves of becoming the second and third women All-Americans at USD. Tonya Fuller was the first last year.

Susan Hawke and Nicole Storto of the University of San Diego lost to Amanda Gregory and Marija Neubauer of Wisconsin, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

John Cross of UC San Diego lost to Brian Nurenburg of Tufts, 7-6, 6-3, in the second round of the NCAA Division men’s tournament at Emory University.

GOLF

Jeremy Moe of UC San Diego shot a one-over-par 73, good for sixth after the first round of the NCAA Division III championships at Wooster, Ohio. He and teammates Pete Roberts (75) and Matthew Stottern (77) helped the Tritons to the fifth spot in the team standings.

UCSD shot 307, eight behind leader Gustavus Adolphus 299. Methodist is second at 300, followed by Salem State (301) and Ramapo (304).

Dave Pierce of Ramapo lead the individual portion at 71.

SPORTS ARENA

Jeff Quinn has been named director of development for the San Diego Sports Arena, with responsibility for working with the city of San Diego and the Centre City Development Corp. in identifying and developing a site for a new sports and entertainment complex.

Quinn, long-time real estate developer and broker in the San Diego area, has been an associate of developer Ron Hahn and partner Sam Marasco since October. Hahn’s group reached an agreement with City Council March 30 to establish an arena site and attempt to lure National Hockey League and/or National Basketball Assn. franchises.