Report: Vick was at dog fights

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was at a dog fight in 2000 and is “one of the heavyweights” in the sport, ESPN reported.

The network Sunday cited a police informant whom a dog-fighting investigator called “extremely reliable.”

“That’s who bets a large dollar,” the informant said on the show “Outside the Lines.” “And they have the money to bet large money. As I’m talking about large money, 30 to 40 thousand, even higher. He’s one of the heavyweights.”

When asked how he knows Vick bets that amount, the informant said, “because I’ve seen it.”

The informant said his dog beat Vick’s dog in 2000, the year before Vick was selected by the Falcons with the first overall pick in the NFL draft.

Investigator David Hunt said information from the informant has “resulted in the arrest of several individuals over the past few years, numerous search warrants, as well as convictions.”

Surry County (Va.) Commonwealth Atty. Gerald Poindexter said Friday he was confident charges would be brought in the investigation of a possible dog-fighting operation at a house then owned by Vick. Dog fighting is a felony in Virginia.

Police raided the rural home April 25 as part of a drug investigation. They seized 66 dogs, 55 of them pit bulls, and equipment that could be associated with dog fighting.

Vick has said he let a cousin live at the house, and he didn’t know a large kennel on the property could be involved in criminal activity.

SOCCER

FIFA bans international games at high altitude

FIFA has banned international games from being played at high altitudes.

Joseph “Sepp” Blatter, FIFA’s president, said the decision to ban games more than 8,200 feet above sea level was made after a review by the medical team for world soccer’s governing body.

Bolivia has held World Cup qualifiers at an altitude of about 11,800 feet at La Paz. There has been criticism that Bolivia’s advantage is not only unfair but also dangerous for the players’ health.

This year, Brazilian club Flamengo said it would not play again at altitude after several players needed oxygen during a game at about 13,100 feet against Bolivian team Real Potosi.

Peru also has stadiums above 9,840 feet.

Speaking after a meeting of FIFA’s executive committee, Blatter also reiterated his full support in South Africa’s ability to stage the 2010 World Cup.

COLLEGE SPORTS

Cal State Fullerton is out of softball tournament

Sophomore shortstop Courtney Martinez hit her eighth home run this season, but Cal State Fullerton fell to Arizona, 2-1, in an NCAA softball super regional at Tucson.

Adrienne Acton’s two-run single in the third inning was all the offense Taryne Mowatt (36-10) and the Wildcats (44-12-1) needed to advance to the Women’s College World Series, where Arizona will face Baylor in the first round Thursday.

Senior Candice Baker (21-14) gave up four hits and struck out two for the Titans (38-23).

Brown earned its fifth NCAA women’s rowing championship, becoming the second team to win the national title without winning a race.

The Bears finished with 58 points in the three-day competition at Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn., four ahead of second-place Virginia.

USC finished in fifth place with 48 points and UCLA finished 14th.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Dalhausser, Rogers win men’s title in Louisville

Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers took 58 minutes to defeat Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal, 21-18, 21-16, in the men’s title match of the AVP Crocs Louisville Open in Kentucky.

In the women’s title match, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh defeated Holly McPeak and Logan Tom, 21-14, 21-12.

TRACK AND FIELD

Mutola runs fastest 800 meters of year

Olympic champion Maria Mutola dominated again at Hayward Field, winning the 800 meters with the fastest time in the world this year during the Road to Eugene ’08 track and field meet in Oregon.

Mutola, 34, a native of Mozambique who once lived in the Eugene area, finished in 1 minute 58.79 seconds. She will return to Hayward Field in June for the Prefontaine Classic with a streak of 14 consecutive wins in that meet.

Nicole Teter was second in 1:59.91, the best time by an American this year.

MISCELLANY

Former basketball star Porter dies at 58

Howard Porter, among the top players in Villanova basketball history, died after he was found beaten in a Minneapolis alley more than a week ago. He was 58. Story in Section B.