Norwegian Skier Relieved Brother's Body Found

Olympic cross-country skiing medalist Vegard Ulvang said he and his family were relieved that the body of his brother had been found.

Ketil Ulvang, 32, went for a run in the mountains near his home last October. His remains were found earlier this week, in a lake about 5 miles off the path he was following when he disappeared during a sudden snowstorm.

Vegard Ulvang, 30, quit training to join the search, then returned to win a silver medal at the Lillehammer Olympics. Vegard resumed the search last weekend after most of the snow in the area had melted.

COLLEGES

The athletic program at Wake Forest was placed on one-year probation today by the NCAA for violations in the recruitment of a foreign basketball player. The case involves Makhtar Ndiaye, a 6-foot-8 center from Dakar, Senegal.

BOXING

-- Investigators from the Indiana Department of Correction have been asked to investigate allegations that several agency officials accepted payments for preferential treatment for boxer Mike Tyson. DOC Commissioner Chris DeBruyn said he acted because of comments made two weeks ago by James Bell Yager, a well-known jailhouse lawyer and inmate advocate, The Indianapolis News reported today.

Yager told the News that at least three high-ranking DOC officials were on Tyson's "prison payroll."

-- Former champion Evander Holyfield said he considers his heart problem healed and wants a rematch with Michael Moorer for the

heavyweight title.

"I'm going to fight," said Holyfield, who lost the WBA and IBF titles to Moorer in April.

After the fight, Holyfield was diagnosed with a stiffened left ventricle and a hole between the upper chambers of his heart.

"I've prayed on it for a long time, and if God healed me, what's the point in sitting?" he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

FOOTBALL

Former Miami Dolphin receiver Howard Twilley won't run for Congress and announced he would support former Seahawk star Steve Largent for the Republican nomination for the 1st Congressional District in Oklahoma.

"Steve Largent is a man of good character, sound judgment and conservative convictions," Twilley said. "I intend to be actively involved in Steve's campaign. I believe Steve will win the Republican nomination and the general election."

Largent called Twilley's support a "high compliment."

-- Seahawk Man of the Year Eugene Robinson will be honored Saturday at the Ken Behring Dinner and Auction that benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Robinson is being honored for his community contributions while displaying a high level of play. The event will be held at the Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle. Tickets are available through Sharon Nelson of the Seahawks (827-9777) or the MDA (283-2183).

NORTHWEST

In Olympia, Bob Smith of Sacramento, Calif., won the only spot available in sectional qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament June 30 through July 3 in Pinehurst, N.C.

Smith was the only par-breaker in the field of 23 with his 2-under 69 on the 6,148-yard Olympia Country and Golf Club course.

Seattle amateur Bruce Richards was the first alternate with a 72. Another amateur, Bill Gundersen of Renton, was second alternate with a 73. The other alternates were professionals Bob Johnson of Tacoma (74) and Ted Naff of Kent (74).

-- The Seafirst fastpitch softball team qualified last weekend in Surrey, B.C., for the ISC World Tournament in Prince Edward Island, Canada, this summer.

MISCELLANY

-- Winner Jason Middlebrook of Stanford, Sean Spencer of Washington and Matt Morris of Seton Hall combined on a two-hitter as the U.S. national baseball team completed a sweep of its opening four-game series of the year with a 9-0 victory over Nicaragua in Millington, Tenn.

Spencer, who just completed his freshman season, is the first Husky to make the national team.

-- Heinz Imboden of Switzerland won the seventh stage of the Tour de Suisse cycling race. Pascal Richard of Switzerland finished third in the grueling 131.8-mile stage, but strengthened his overall lead 1 minute, 2 seconds. Lance Armstrong of the U.S. was seventh overall, 4:18 back, and Greg LeMond was 21st, 12:46 back.

-- John Handegard rolled a 290 on the way to a six-pin lead over Jim Lewis after the opening round of the PBA's $75,000 Wyoming Valley Senior Open in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.