Sports briefs

Wednesday, July 23, 2003 | 10:19 a.m.

Top USC recruit believed drowned

Lifeguards searching waters southeast of Los Angeles said they believe an 18-year-old Southern California football recruit has drowned.

Drean Rucker, a prep All-American linebacker from Riverside County, was reported missing Monday evening after venturing into the ocean when no lifeguards were on duty. Authorities late Tuesday broke off the search until morning, saying they didn't expect to find him alive.

Rucker graduated from Canyon Springs High in Moreno Valley.At 6-feet-2, 235 pounds, Rucker was considered among Southern California's top high school linebackers.

Brousard said a witness saw Rucker slip under the waves at about 8:10 p.m. Monday. Lifeguards searching in the water and by helicopter were unable to locate him.

Klitschko OK'd to fight

Vitali Klitschko, severely cut around his left eye during his heavyweight title fight against Lennox Lewis last month, has been cleared to return to the ring after an examination by Dr. Volker Steinkraus in Germany. Klitschko "can begin training now and can fight again as soon as he wants," Steinkraus said.

Man U wins opener

In its first game without David Beckham, Manchester United beat Glasgow Celtic 4-0 on Tuesday night behind goals by Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and David Bellion at Seattle in the first game of its four-game U.S. tour.

Cornrow suit out

A judge in Kansas City, Mo., dismissed a lawsuit against a central Missouri high school whose coach benched a player because his hair was braided in cornrows. U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright ruled that participation in extracurricular sports is voluntary and rules on hairstyles are not unconstitutional.

51s' streak ends

A 10-6 road loss Tuesday night to the Edmonton Trappers ended the 51s' three-game winning streak in the Pacific Coast League. 51s pitching was roughed up for 13 hits.

U.S. women win again

U.S. women ran improved to 3-0 in the World Grand Prix with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-15 victory against the Netherlands today at Gioia del Colle, Italy.