Sports briefs

Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003 | 10:40 a.m.

Phelps wins twice at national meet

Michael Phelps proved his versatility Wednesday, winning two titles at the national championships at College Park, Md.

Phelps, 18, missed a world record by less than a second while winning the 200-meter backstroke in 1 minute, 56.10 seconds, the fifth fastest time for that distance. Earlier Wednesday, he won the 100 freestyle.

It was his first competition since winning four gold medals and setting five world records at the world championships in July in Barcelona.

Also Wednesday, Sarah Wanezek won the 100 freestyle in 55.73; Caroline Bruce the 200 breaststroke , Jennifer Fratesi of Canada the 200 backstroke, and Kaitlin Sandeno the 200 butterfly. In other men's races, Gary Marshall won the 200 breaststroke and Brian Johns of Canada the 200 butterfly.

Auction for Sosa ball

The college student who caught the baseball Sammy Sosa hit for his 500th home run is putting it up for auction starting Aug. 11.

Utah signs Ruffin

The Utah Jazz signed free agent forward Michael Ruffin, a 6-foot-8 forward who played in Spain last season, to a one-year deal Wednesday.

Teens top amateurs

Seventeen-year-old Aree Song shot a 4-under 67 Wednesday to win medalist honors at the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship at Gladwyne, Pa. Her 36-hole total of 138 put her one stroke better than 13-year-old Michelle Wie. The match-play portion of the tournament began today. UNLV's Sunny Oh and Erin Andrews of Las Vegas did not make the cut.

Agassi advances

Andre Agassi waited through a 1 1/2-hour rain delay, then made quick work of Nikolay Davydenko, 7-6 (3), 6-2, to reach the third round of the Canada Masters at Montreal.

Tuiasosopo out

Washington fullback Zach Tuiasosopo is expected to miss his team's first three or four games after being charged with punching out windows of four cars after a sorority party.