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In brief

Darlings amend lawsuit

TALLAHASSEE -- The parents of Devaughn Darling, the Florida State linebacker who died after a strenuous offseason workout in February 2001, filed an amended wrongful death lawsuit against FSU.

The original complaint said FSU violated a state law pertaining to hazing, but FSU's attorney argued for a dismissal on grounds the law provided no remedy for damages. The new complaint no longer cites that law, but says FSU failed in its duty to "develop, plan and execute a conditioning program that was reasonably safe, which would not endanger the lives of its players."

It also states the "negligent and careless acts and omissions," including the alleged proper access to water, led to Darling being "placed under unreasonable physical distress."

PREPS: Neww twist in James' case

LeBron James began playing for a state title, hours after a court case on his eligibility took an unexpected turn. James scored 30, 14 on dunks, to lead No. 1 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 84-30 over Kenmore in a Division II sectional final. A lawyer for the Ohio High School Athletic Association, which ruled James ineligible Jan. 31 after he accepted two free retro jerseys, asked a judge to dismiss James' case on grounds the 18-year-old did not properly appeal the OHSAA's ruling. Instead of appealing, Steven Craig said James first should have requested a meeting with the commissioner to explain how he obtained the jerseys.

TENNIS: Serena withdraws

Serena Williams decided to err on the side of caution when her left knee began acting up at the State Farm Classic on Thursday night in Scottsdale, Ariz. The world No. 1 withdrew an hour before her first match because of tendinitis. "Usually it doesn't hurt this bad," she said. "But it was like this during Toronto last year, and I think I made a good decision and pulled out. I went on to do well at the (U.S.) Open, so I just want to make sure my judgment was correct."

WINTER SPORTS: Spillane has U.S. first

Johnny Spillane became the first American to win gold at the Nordic world championships. Spillane captured the combined sprint at Val Di Fiemme, Italy, giving the United States its first world championship medal since cross-country skiing pioneer Bill Koch won bronze in 1982.

FIGURE SKATING: Russian world champion Irina Slutskaya moved to first in the Grand Prix Final at St. Petersburg, Russia, after the free skate. Slutskaya trailed American Sasha Cohen in the short program, and Cohen, whose free program was loaded with difficult jumps, lost the lead after she fell on a triple loop.

MAIER SURGERY: Two-time Olympic gold medalist Hermann Maier had a 14-inch rod removed from the leg he injured in a 2001 motorcycle accident and is expected to return to skiing in about four weeks.

ET CETERA

ARENA FOOTBALL: The Storm signed former Jesuit and Georgia Tech quarterback George Godsey to its practice squad. Godsey will be the emergency quarterback for Sunday's game against Detroit and can play if John Kaleo and Pat O'Hara are injured.

OLYMPICS: Employees and athletes provided information about USOC operations that indicates possible fraud, two senators said in a visit to committee headquarters. Republicans Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado and Ted Stevens of Alaska would not elaborate on what kinds of fraud. "It touches on criminal activity, but I'm not sure we can verify it yet," Stevens said. The USOC formed a task force to identify and correct problems after ethics violations by CEO Lloyd Ward.

SOCCER: Chris Albright had two goals and an assist as MLS' Los Angeles defeated Norway's Stavangar Viking 3-0 for third in the La Manga Cup at Cartagena, Spain. Mauricio Cienfuegos scored in the 54th minute, and Kevin Hartman recorded his third shutout in three tournament games for the Galaxy.

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