UMaine swimmer sets school record
PITTSBURGH — University of Maine junior Matt England set a UMaine record in the 100 backstroke, racing to time of 49.4 seconds during the trials at the ECAC Championships over the weekend at the University of Pittsburgh.
The Bangor High graduate finished in eighth place with a 50.8 time in the finals. England also timed a 1:50.9 in the 200 backstroke and placed 12th.
Teammate Nick Sundquist from Windham eclipsed a Maine record in the 200 free set in 1982 by Chuck Martin. Sundquist touched in 1:39.8, two seconds under Martin’s 1:41.9 to finish 19th. Earlier in the meet, Sundquist set a Black Bear record in the 200 individual medley at 1:50.5.
The Black Bear men placed 10th in the 15-team field and the US Naval Academy won the title.
Maine Baseball Hall seeking nominations
The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for its 2015 induction class.
Those wishing to make nominations can send either a resume or supporting documentation to: Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, PO Box 1062 Yarmouth, ME 04096 or email to: ddouglasdouglastitle.com or fax to: 207-846-3760.
The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 and honors players, coaches, umpires, organizers and benefactors from the state who have achieved prominence or made valuable contributions to baseball.
Nishikori breaks into world’s top four, Murray out
LONDON — Japan’s Kei Nishikori broke into the top four of the ATP world rankings on Monday as he continued to shake up the top echelon of men’s tennis.
His run to the final in Acapulco, where he was beaten by Spain’s David Ferrer, elevated him to a new career-high ranking of four, taking him above Britain’s Andy Murray.
Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Murray have long been regarded as the “big four” in the men’s game.
Nishikori, who became the first Asian male to reach a grand slam singles final at the U.S. Open last year, has equalled the highest ranking for a Japanese player, matching the feat of Kimiko Date-Krumm in the women’s list 20 years ago.
Lester gets opening day nod for Cubs
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Monday named lefthander Jon Lester to be the opening night starter against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cubs signed Lester to a six-year, $155 million contract in December. Lester, who will be starting on Opening Day for the fifth straight season, pitched last season for the Boston Red Sox.
Lester is scheduled to make his spring training debut Friday against the Cincinnati Reds.
Bulls lose All-Star Butler for 3-6 weeks
Chicago Bulls All-Star guard Jimmy Butler will miss at least the next three weeks after suffering an injury to his left elbow Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
On Monday, the team confirmed that Butler suffered a sprain to the ulnar ligament as well as a small bone impaction. He will avoid surgery but could miss as many as six weeks, depending on how quickly he responds to treatment.
Butler was injured in the third quarter when he collided with DeAndre Jordan.
Butler has appeared in 55 games and averaged 20.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He was leading the NBA in minutes played (38.9 per game).
NBA suspends Rockets’ Harden
The NBA suspended Houston Rockets guard James Harden for one game Monday as punishment for Harden kicking Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James in the groin.
Harden will serve his unpaid suspension Tuesday when the Rockets play the Hawks in Atlanta.
The low blow occurred late in the third quarter of the Rockets’ 105-103 overtime victory Sunday.
Harden received a Flagrant Foul 1, which was upgraded to a Flagrant 2 after the league office reviewed it.
Rodriguez not on travel roster
New York’s Alex Rodriguez will have to wait a little longer before he plays in a “real” game for the Yankees after a 17-month layoff due to a suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s drug rules.
Rodriguez, 39, was not on the travel roster for the Yankees’ spring opener against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, ESPN reported Monday. He was in the lineup for Monday’s intrasquad scrimmage in Tampa, going 0-for-2 against a pitching machine.