Sport Briefs:Rodman makes good impression

Friday, Aug. 9, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Flamboyant Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman had breakfast with one of his biggest fans Thursday, and apparently the two got along just swimmingly.

Amanda Beard, 14, who swam to a gold medal and two silver medals in the Atlanta Olympics, had expressed a desire to meet Rodman, who helped the Bulls win the NBA championship earlier this summer.

Along with picking up the tab for breakfast for Beard and her family, who live in Irvine, Calif., Rodman presented the teen-ager with an autographed Bulls jersey, cap and Sports Illustrated magazine with his picture on the cover.

"He made it so enjoyable," Beard said. "I didn't have a real interest in basketball until I saw him play on television. He brings an excitement to the game. And he was so nice to my family, it's something I'll never forget."

After breakfast, Beard said, Rodman invited her and her family to the set of the NBC television show "3rd Rock From the Sun," on which Rodman was scheduled to tape a guest spot Thursday. But Beard declined, opting to attend the Minnesota Twins-California Angels afternoon game at Anaheim Stadium instead.

U.S. Open anglers disciplined

Two participants in the $150,000 WON Bass U.S. Open Bass Tournament held July 22-24 at Lake Mead have been disciplined for rules infractions, WON Bass publicist Bill Rice confirmed Thursday. Pro angler (and TV show host) Roland Martin of Clewiston, Fla., had his first day's catch disqualified, which cost him $7,000 in prize money. Martin had admitted to fishing without a valid Nevada license on the tournament's first day. "He said he made an attempt to get a license that morning, but that's irrelevant because you simply can't fish without a license," Rice said. And pro angler Hal Strauss of Collbran, Colo., returned a $1,000 prize for the day's best catch after it was learned a fish he turned in July 22 was carrying a three-ounce sinker. Further, Strauss will be permanently banned from WON Bass tournaments until he passes a lie-detector test proving he was unaware how the sinker got into the fish. "He's not going to fish for us until he passes a lie-detector test," Rice said. Efforts to reach Strauss at his Colorado home were unsuccessful. "This is the first time we've had either one of these things happen," Rice lamented of the incidents concerning Martin and Strauss.

Hricsina leads Reno, Handegard 4th

John Hricsina, winner of five senior tournaments, held a 76-pin lead over Earl Anthony after Thursday's second session of match play in the Reno Senior Open at the National Bowling Stadium. Hricsina has the best match record of the event at 12-4, two better than Anthony. Hricsina's pin count, including bonuses, was 8,275 to Anthony's 8,199. Avery LeBlanc, who led the first two rounds, was third after Thursday's play with 8,082 pins, followed by Las Vegas' John Handegard with 8,060 and Roger Tramp with 8,056.

Pool on top in Amateur

Doug Pool of Las Vegas came from three shots behind to take the lead after the second round of Nevada State Amateur Championship at the Oasis Golf Club in Mesquite. Pool shot the tournament's first sub-70 round Thursday, firing a 4-under-par 68 to take the lead by one stroke at 141. Seven players were within five shots of Pool beginning today's final round. They were Chuck Elder (142), Mike Louden (143), Kirk Schwoyer and Mark Gilmartin (both 144), Steve Sheehan and Tyler Barlow (both 145) and Mark Ashworth (146). Mike Diehl led the senior division with 143 and Mike Pulliam topped net scores with 137.

Galaxy bounces back at home

Eduardo Hurtado headed in Cobi Jones' pass in the 80th minute Thursday night to lift the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 1-0 Major League Soccer victory over the New England Revolution before an announced crowd of 10,251 at the Rose Bowl. Galaxy goalkeeper Jorge Campos made just one save, in the first half, in his third shutout of the season. Jim St. Andre made four saves for New England. Alberto Naveda had both of New England's best scoring chances, hitting the goal post on a free kick in the 63rd minute, and shooting just over the goal on a free kick in the 88th minute.

Quickies

Following Mario Lemieux's lead, Paul Kariya of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks withdrew from Canada's entry in the upcoming World Cup of Hockey. The 21-year-old left wing had 50 goals and 58 assists last season. But a serious groin inflammation could prevent him from starting this season. ... David Reid, the only American boxing gold medalist at the Atlanta Olympics, is turning pro. Reid, a light middleweight, said he had spoken with promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, Inc., and will announce his professional plans next week. ... The NCAA stepped up its probe of the football and women's basketball programs at Grambling State University, notifying the school that it is under formal investigation. Grambling received a preliminary letter of inquiry from the NCAA indicating that questions still persist about grade changes given to athletes. The investigation also involves player eligibility in the women's basketball program and off-season football practices.