Sports news briefs for September 5, 2003

Friday, Sept. 5, 2003 | 10:57 a.m.

Busch withdraws assault complaint

NASCAR driver Kurt Busch dropped his assault complaint against rival Jimmy Spencer, who punched him in the face after a race Aug. 17 at Michigan International Speedway.

A spokesman for Busch called the sheriff's department Wednesday, asking that the case be dropped, sheriff's Capt. Jack Welsh said today. Welsh said the representative told him NASCAR's penalties against Spencer were satisfactory.

Busch was left with a bloody nose and chipped tooth.

NASCAR barred Spencer from driving in a NASCAR-sanctioned events for a week and fined him $25,000. NASCAR placed both men on probation for the rest of the year.

Spokesmen for Spencer and Busch did not immediately return calls.

UNLV coach a winner

UNLV women's coach Missy Ringler overcame wet weather conditions and a lightning delay to win the Nevada State Amateur Championship Thursday at the Wolf Course at Las Vegas Paiute Resort. Ringler carded rounds of 71, 78 and 81 to finish 14-over par and claim a two-stroke victory over the 40-player field.

Rodman arrested

Former NBA all-star Dennis Rodman was released from jail Thursday night in Newport Beach, Calif., after being arrested earlier for investigation of being drunk in public after police received a call that he was driving his boat in Newport Harbor while under the influence of alcohol.

Messier will return

New York Rangers forward Mark Messier, 42, has decided he will return for a 25th NHL season. Messier, two-time winner of the Hart Trophy as the league MVP, revealed his decision while attending the formal announcement of Rangers goaltender Mike Richter's retirement.

Pitt QB charged

Pitt quarterback Rod Rutherford was charged today with kicking out a car window and assaulting a woman outside a nightclub. Rutherford forced his way into the car early Monday after she refused his advances, police said. The charges came a day after coach Walt Harris said Rutherford would not be the opening-day starter Saturday.

SC stripped of title

Southern California was stripped Thursday of the Pacific-10 Conference men's track and field title it won last season with an ineligible athlete. The athlete was not identified and the Pac-10 said he was erroneously allowed to compete because of an "institutional communications" failure at USC.