Northwest -- Cougar Lineman Files Suit Against Teammate

PULLMAN - A Washington State lineman has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against a teammate stemming from a car crash that killed his wife less than a month after they were married.

Ryan McShane, from Lafayette, Calif., was named as the defendant in the suit filed by Jason McEndoo, from Cosmopolis. Both are redshirt seniors expected to start next season on the Cougars' offensive line.

McEndoo's lawsuit was filed May 28 in Whitman County Superior Court on behalf of the estate of 22-year-old Michelle McEndoo, who died in the July 14, 1996, crash.

McShane was driving the Ford Explorer that left Interstate 90 and rolled as the three students returned to campus from a friend's wedding.

The lawsuit claims the accident and the injuries were the result of McShane's negligence. It also says Jason McEndoo suffered financial and emotional distress because of his wife's death.

The amount of damages will be determined at trial.

Police reports of the accident indicated Michelle McEndoo was lying on the back seat when McShane apparently fell asleep at the wheel. She was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

McShane and Jason McEndoo escaped with minor injuries.

McShane was indefinitely suspended after his arrest May 17 for investigation of second-degree malicious mischief and vehicle prowling.

Cougar Coach Mike Price said McShane would not be allowed to participate in team activities until the court matter is resolved.

Emerald Downs VP resigns

AUBURN - Marie Connelly, vice president and general manager of Emerald Downs, has resigned effective Friday, the first anniversary of the racetrack's opening, it was announced yesterday.

Connelly's decision came as no surprise, according to a track spokesman, who said it had been known she planned to pursue other interests after a year. Her resignation was announced to track employees three weeks ago.

Connelly and Ron Crockett, Emerald Downs' president, were not available for comment.

Connelly played a significant role in the evolution of live racing from the demise of Longacres to the building of Emerald Downs. She was hired in the fall of 1993 as an executive with the transitory Emerald Racing Association before assuming her present position.

Ex-Kennedy player suspended

TUCSON, Ariz. - Leland Gayles, a reserve cornerback from Renton and Kennedy High School, and an Arizona football teammate have been suspended after they were arrested in an alleged book scam.

Michael Proctor, a university attorney, said the suspensions of Gayles and starting safety Mikal Smith will remain in effect until campus police complete a criminal investigation. That point might be reached by the start of practice in early August, Proctor said.

Smith and Gayles were arrested Wednesday after police found more than 60 textbooks in the trunk of Gayles' car. The books are believed to have been stolen from the athletic department or to have been purchased with vouchers stolen from the department, said Sgt. Sal Celi of the campus police department.

Each player has been charged with felony fraud, and Gayles has been charged with giving false information to a police officer.

The players allegedly planned to sell more than 40 books to campus-area bookstores. Books athletes get free under their scholarships may not be resold, university officials said.

Sounders play Surinam club

The Seattle Sounders will play S.V. Transvaal of Surinam at 7:30 tonight at Federal Way Stadium in a qualifying game for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The tournament is open to league champions and runners-up from member nations of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, soccer's regional governing body.

The Sounders are two-time defending A-League champions. S.V. Transvaal has won Surinam's First Division the past three seasons and is a three-time Champions Cup winner (1970, '73, '81).

The winner tonight advances to a four-team qualifying tournament July 15-20 in Guatemala.

Oregon golfer wins sectional

TACOMA - Jim Wilkinson, a professional from Bend, Ore., gained the only berth available yesterday at Oakbrook Golf and Country Club in sectional qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open.

Wilkinson shot a 1-under-par 70 to lead a field of 39. The Senior Open is scheduled for June 26-29 in Olympia Fields, Ill.

Gary Koprivica, an amateur from Missoula, Mont., playing in the final threesome, had a chance to force a playoff but three-putted the final hole for a 71. He wound up as first alternate. Tacoma pro Mike Miller, who played in the same threesome as Wilkinson, is the second alternate after a 74.

Hipp shown who's `Boss'

BILOXI, Miss. - Ross "The Boss" Puritty of Phoenix pummeled Yakima heavyweight Joe Hipp for nine rounds before knocking him out at 1:43 of the 10th round. The victory Sunday improved Puritty's record to 22-10-1 with 20 knockouts. Hipp is 38-5.

Notes

-- Samuel Smith, president of Washington State, has been elected chair of the new NCAA Executive Committee. The 20-member committee will convene for the first time Aug. 1.

-- The Everett AquaSox open the Class A Northwest League season tonight in Eugene, Ore., against the Eugene Emeralds. Everett's home opener is Sunday.

-- Michael Orechia, men's and women's cross-country and track coach at the University of Chicago since 1987, was named director of cross country and track at Puget Sound.