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In brief

Sorenstam may play in PGA

TRUMBULL, Conn. -- Annika Sorenstam could be offered an exemption to the Colonial and become the first woman in 58 years to play on the PGA Tour, Golf World reported.

The magazine said Bank of America, in its first year as title sponsor, wants Sorenstam to play in the May 22-25 tournament in Fort Worth, Texas.

Tournament director Dee Finley suggested last week the Colonial had no room for Sorenstam because it had several players interested in their exemptions and "we're here to provide a place to play for PGA Tour players."

If Sorenstam plays the Colonial, she would steal the spotlight from Connecticut club pro Suzy Whaley, who said she will play in the Greater Hartford Open in July.

PROTEST SITE PERUSAL: Martha Burk made her first visit to scout possible protest sites near Augusta National for the Masters in April. Burk, head of the National Council of Women's Organizations, was accompanied by supporters as she studied the neighborhood about two hours Saturday. Augusta-Richmond County officials said protesters will not be allowed near the club's main gates because of dangerous traffic.

FUZZY APOLOGY: Fuzzy Zoeller, disqualified from a Champions Tour event for trying to conduct an instruction tip on the course, said commissioner Tim Finchem called to apologize. Zoeller was disqualified Friday for hitting practice shots in Key Biscayne at the Royal Caribbean Classic.

USF adds state recruit

South Sumter defensive back Sam Miller signed with South Florida. Miller (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) was a Class 2A all-state honorable mention selection in 2002 when he had nine interceptions and five touchdowns. He had 14 interceptions the past two seasons.

"He could play corner or safety," South Sumter coach Inman Sherman said. "He was our best cover guy, so he played corner for us. He has an outstanding work ethic."

Miller also considered South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Liberty. He is the 28th player, including one transfer, to sign with the Bulls this month. He joins South Sumter teammate Ben Moffitt in the USF recruiting class. Moffitt and Miller were part of a senior class that won 45 games in four seasons.

CENTRAL FLORIDA: Joe Robinson, who spent last season at Houston, was hired as special teams coordinator.

FLORIDA STATE: The Seminoles received signed papers from defensive lineman Chris Bradwell, a standout at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy.

HOCKEY: David VanderGulik and Brian McConnell scored 23 seconds apart in the second period as Boston beat Boston College 3-2 at the FleetCenter to win the Beanpot title an eighth time in nine years. Sean Fields stopped 31 shots for the Terriers and was named tournament MVP. The Beanpot is an annual matchup of Boston's four college hockey powers.

SOFTBALL: USF catcher Courtney Lewellen was named Conference USA hitter of the week. The senior from Seminole was 7-for-14 (.500) in four games at a weekend tournament in Gainesville. She is hitting .455 through 11 games.

Convicted dad seeks new trial

A man convicted of fatally beating another man at their sons' hockey practice wants a new trial, contending prosecutors kept information from the defense that could have undermined testimony from a key witness.

Lawyers for Thomas Junta filed the request in Middlesex (Boston) Superior Court. Junta was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in January 2001 for beating Michael Costin on July 5, 2000. Junta was sentenced to six to 10 years in prison.

Two issues are at the heart of the appeal: whether prosecutors violated a court order requiring them to present all relevant information on medical examiner Stanton C. Kessler before the trial, and if Kessler made Costin's injuries appear more vicious at trial than he did when discussing them at a professional conference in 2001.

Wrestler dies of meningitis

A 14-year-old Titusville wrestler died of bacterial meningitis and his eight teammates were placed on antibiotics as a precaution, officials said. Tyler Hackle, a ninth-grader, died early Sunday. Health officials said he fell into a coma during the weekend after attending a wrestling competition at Satellite.

"He was already sick with the symptoms of meningitis and his condition was very bad," said Dr. Heidar Heshmati, director of the Brevard County health department. "This type of bacteria is very life-threatening in young people."

The eight-member wrestling team, Tyler's family and other close contacts were put on antibiotics such as Cipro after the teen was diagnosed, officials said. Meningitis is an infection of the spinal-cord fluid that can cause swelling in the spine and brain.

BASKETBALL: A referee who posed with LeBron James for a photograph after a game in New Jersey on Saturday is being investigated by a group that oversees officials. There is no specific rule forbidding the action, but the group has an "unwritten policy" because it may make officials appear partial.

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