Collins to Join U.S. Team

Ben Collins, who played with the Sockers the past three years, signed a short-term contract to play for the U.S. national team in the upcoming Friendship Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced Tuesday.

Collins is one of four former Major Soccer League players currently on the national team. The other three also are former Sockers: defender Fernando Clavijo and midfielders Brian Quinn and Hugo Perez.

Collins, a native of Liberia, became a U.S. citizen in December 1987. He has won championships in each of his three seasons with the Sockers and in the 1991 championship series he was named the Most Valuable Player. Last season he was an All-Star and all-MSL selection.

The Friendship Cup will be in the Coliseum July 31 and Aug. 2. The U.S. team will play Colombia and Brazil. Mexico’s national team also will participate.

TENNIS

Jennifer Capriati, defending champion of the Mazda Tennis Classic, has committed to return and play in this year’s event Aug. 24-30 at La Costa Resort and Spa.

Capriati outlasted Monica Seles in last year’s final, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2).

HOCKEY

The Gulls announced they have signed right wing Peter Hankinson, who scored 25 goals and had 38 assists for the Fort Wayne Komets last year. Hankinson, 24, became the fifth player to sign with the Gulls for next season. In 1989, Hankinson was the fourth overall pick in the NHL supplemental draft by the Winnipeg Jets.

WRESTLING

Corey Farkas, a June graduate of Poway High, defeated Harvey Rossler of Illinois, 2-1, Tuesday night in the heavyweight finals of the Greco-Roman National tournament in St. Paul, Minn. Farkas, who will attend Edinboro (Pa.) University, will begin competition today in the freestyle class.

BASEBALL

Travis Wilson, a graduate of Rancho Buena Vista, signed a letter of intent with Loyola Marymount University. Wilson, who was a second-team All-CIF selection this year, was a 10th-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the June free agent draft.