Sports briefs for March 16, 2004

Tuesday, March 16, 2004 | 10:56 a.m.

Greg Rusedski said today in London that he is seeking a settlement with the ATP after his exoneration on doping charges.

The 1997 U.S. Open runner-up, Rusedski tested positive for the steroid nandrolone at a tournament in Indianapolis in July and faced a two-year ban if found guilty. He was cleared last week when an independent panel accepted his contention that his positive test was the result of contaminated electrolyte supplements provided by tour trainers.

"I knew I was innocent from day one," Rusedski said.

Rusedski didn't rule out taking legal action against the ATP, saying he was trying to negotiate a settlement that would help him resume his career. Rusedski and his lawyer, Mark Gay, declined to give details of the negotiations but Gay said talks could involve Rusedski's ranking. He hasn't played in more than two months and his world ranking has slipped to No. 100, forcing him to qualify for major tournaments.

UNLV's Byrne honored

UNLV senior left fielder Bridget Byrne was named the Mountain West Conference's player of the week. A Silverado High graduate, Byrne hit safely in all five of the Rebels' games last week. She leads the conference with 42 hits and ranks among the MWC leaders with a .438 batting average.

Weiss leads worlds

Randy Weiss of Irmo, S.C., rolled a 1,494 six-game series, including a 290 in his final game, to lead after the opening round of qualifying in the PBA World Championship at Taylor, Mich. Brandon Hilgendorf of Clinton Township, Mich., was second, 45 pins behind Weiss.

Hucles' goal lifts U.S.

Angela Hucles scored her third goal in two games, leading the United States against Denmark 1-0 today in the Algarve Cup tournament at Quarteira, Portugal. The Americans play 2003 World Cup finalist Sweden on Thursday for a berth in the final.

Vaulter's appeal fails

British pole vaulter Janine Whitlock lost her appeal today against a lifetime Olympic doping ban. She tested positive for a steroid in June 2002 and the British Olympic Association's appeals panel ruled that she had failed to prove "significant mitigating circumstances."

Canada gets Quinneville

Joel Quinneville, who was fired this season as coach of the St. Louis Blues, was named coach of the defending champion Canadian team for the world championships next month in Prague, Czech Republic.