Briefs

Teen gets history but not Olympics

By wire services
Published December 26, 2005

TOKYO - Mao Asada became the first female figure skater to complete two triple axels during a free program, doing it Sunday at Japan's national championships.

Asada finished second behind two-time world bronze medalist Fumie Suguri and ahead of 2004 world champion Shizuka Arakawa but is ineligible for the Olympics.

Asada turned 15 in September, less than three months after the July1 deadline set by the International Skating Union.

Sixth-place Miki Ando , the two-time defending champ who entered leading in points, joins Suguri and Arakawa in Turin, Italy. Yoshie Onda (fourth) and Yukari Nakano (fifth) are substitutes.

Asada won the Grand Prix final at the same arena last week, beating world champion Irina Slutskaya .

"I wasn't thinking about the championship ... just focusing on the two triple axels," Asada said. "I'd give myself 95 out of 100."

She opened with a triple axel then followed with a triple axel in combination with a double toe loop. Asada became just the sixth woman to land the 31/2 revolution jump in competition.

Daisuke Takahashi won Saturday and will be Japan's lone man in Turin. Nobunari Oda was awarded gold, but it was reversed after judges reviewed the scoring.

BASEBALL

Nats reacquire reliever

Mike Stanton returned to the Nationals late Saturday, agreeing to a $1-million, one-year deal. The left-handed reliever, 38, signedJuly 13, about two weeks after the Yankees released him, and went 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA. Late in the regular season, he was traded to Boston. Overall, he went 3-3 with a 4.64 ERA in 59 appearances.

SOCCER

Ex-Hungary coach dies

Lajos Baroti , who coached Hungary to a bronze at the 1960 Olympics, died Friday in Budapest at 91. He coached 117 games from 1957-78, including taking sixth at the 1966 World Cup, and is credited with training the team that won gold at the 1964 Olympics although he didn't travel with the team.

COLLEGES

FSU coach honored again

Mark Krikorian , who led Florida State to the national semifinals and previously was named the women's coach of the year by Soccer America , won the same award from Soccer Buzz . Also, Viola Odebrecht became the second Seminole to be named first-team All-American by Soccer Buzz .

[Last modified December 26, 2005, 00:43:13]