Thompson’s Record Leaves Her Swimming in Money

American Jenny Thompson lost her world record in the 100-meter individual medley for a few minutes Friday night, then reclaimed it and a $15,000 bonus at the World Short-Course Swimming Championships in Hong Kong.

Thompson, of Dover, N.H., set a mark of 59.30 seconds during a qualifying heat just after Slovakia’s Martina Moravcova had won her heat in 1:00.35, slightly under the world record of 1:00.41 that Thompson set in January.

It was the third world mark to fall in the meet, in which FINA, swimming’s world governing body, is offering $15,000 for world records for the first time.

Australia’s chances for a world mark in the men’s 800-meter freestyle relay disappeared when its team was disqualified in the heats for not following the listed order of its four swimmers. Australia’s coach, Don Talbot, said a jury refused to hear arguments that officials were partly to blame because they did not allow the team to recheck the order moments before the race.

The Irvine Novaquatics, led by rejuvenated Amanda Beard, won the combined, men’s and women’s team titles Thursday as the National Swimming Championships ended in East Meadow, N.J.

Beard, who won a gold and two silvers in the 1996 Olympics, was second in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke, fourth in the 100 butterfly and ninth in the 200 individual medley. She was the only Irvine swimmer in the top 20 for individual points. Aaron Peirsol was the star on the men’s side, breaking national age group records in both backstroke events for swimmers aged 15 and 16.

Names in the News

Steve Howe, suspended seven times for drug and alcohol violations during his career as a major league pitcher, has been suspended as a volunteer coach for a girls’ softball team in Whitefish, Mont.

Howe was told he could no longer help the team on which his daughter, Chelsi, is a second baseman, pending the outcome of a background check by the Whitefish administration.

School superintendent Dave Peters said Howe may be reinstated after the check. Howe’s past problems with drugs and alcohol are the focal point of the inquiry.

Howe has been helping the team since practices began more than two weeks ago.

“Hopefully reasonable people can come to a reasonable solution,” Howe said. “I’m kind of dumbfounded by the whole thing.

“I have a very big investment in the kids in this community and right now a lot of damage is being done to these kids and to the program.

“And for what reason? I don’t know. For the life of me, I don’t know.”

Clifton Robinson, Auburn’s No. 2 receiver last season, was arrested in Auburn, Ala., and charged with raping a 15-year-old girl.

Robinson, 20, was suspended from the team pending an investigation, school spokesman Kent Partridge said.

Robinson, who apparently knew the girl, was charged with second-degree rape, similar to statutory rape in other states. Charges can be filed even if the sex is consensual.

Robinson, who caught 42 passes for 672 yards last season, would face up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted. He was released on $10,000 bond.

Tommy Morrison, who at one time held the fringe World Boxing Organization’s heavyweight title, pleaded guilty to a drunk-driving charge and two other traffic misdemeanors in Tulsa, Okla. Sentencing is scheduled for July 1. The maximum possible punishment on the three counts combined is 2 years, 10 days in jail.

U.S. soccer star Claudio Reyna is transferring from VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga to the Glasgow Rangers in Scotland.

The Galaxy waived forward Jose Vasquez to reach the MLS roster limit of 20 players. Vasquez did not play in the Galaxy’s first two games.

Mark Carrier, the team’s all-time leader in receptions, was released by the Carolina Panthers, a casualty of advancing age and the improvement of a young group of receivers.

Carrier, 33, had 176 receptions for 2,547 yards with the Panthers, but only 19 for 301 yards last season.

The Miami Dolphins signed free-agent fullback Roosevelt Potts and re-signed linebacker Larry Izzo to two-year contracts.

Miscellany

UC Riverside announced its intention to move from the NCAA’s Division II to Division I in all sports.

The change requires a two-year qualifying period. During the first year of the transition period, the 1999-2000 school year, the Highlanders will continue to compete in Division II as a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. During the second year, they will be required to have a primary Division I schedule in all sports.