National Sports

Panthers say top 3 draft picks now under contract

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Panthers announced they've signed first-round draft pick Star Lotulelei and third-round selection Edmund Kugbila. With the signings, Carolina's top three picks are now under contract.

Top-ranked amateur Williams ready for NCAAs

SEATTLE (AP) -- When Chris Williams found out he was the No. 1 ranked amateur golfer in the world, it came in the same way he's learned about many of the other accolades in his career.

Rangers release Lowe, add Teahen as minor-leaguer

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- The Texas Rangers have placed right-hander Derek Lowe on unconditional release waivers and signed utility man Mark Teahen (TEA-en) to a minor league contract.

LPGA to use as much of flooded course as it can

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) -- The LPGA Tour is going to use as much of the flooded Ocean Club course as it can for its inaugural trip to the Bahamas.

Coded goal: RG3 still aiming for Redskins' opener

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- Robert Griffin III says he cried after his knee surgery and changed his cellphone passcode to the date of the Washington Redskins season opener as he began his rehabilitation process.

Setback for injured Diamondbacks OF Adam Eaton

PHOENIX (AP) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks say outfielder Adam Eaton's injured left elbow has an irritation but no structural damage.

2,500 doping tests planned for Sochi Olympics

MOSCOW (AP) -- Sochi's anti-doping director says 2,500 drug tests will be conducted at next year's Winter Olympics, about 350 more than at the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

Rangers scratch Richards for pivotal Game 4

NEW YORK (AP) -- Struggling Rangers center Brad Richards says he will be a healthy scratch Thursday night as New York faces elimination in Game 4 against the Boston Bruins.

AP Source: Elon joins CAA in latest expansion move

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- A person familiar with the situation says Elon is joining the Colonial Athletic Association for the 2014-15 season.

ESPN hires sports radio host Paul Finebaum

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Longtime Alabama sports talk show host Paul Finebaum is joining ESPN and the SEC Network.

MWR cars bring awareness to storm victims

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR's Michael Waltrip hopes to bring attention to the needs of those affected by the Oklahoma tornadoes at the Coca-Cola 600 this weekend.

Dynamo D Ashe added to US training camp roster

CHICAGO (AP) -- Houston Dynamo defender Corey Ashe has been added to the roster for a U.S. training camp before its exhibition against Belgium.

Nibali wins Giro time trial to extend overall lead

POLSA, Italy (AP) -- Vincenzo Nibali won the individual mountain time trial in the 18th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Thursday to extend his overall lead.

Bouchard advances to Strasbourg semifinals

STRASBOURG, France (AP) -- Canadian teenager Eugenie Bouchard reached the semifinals of a tournament for the first time by beating Anna Tatishvili of Georgia 6-3, 6-2 Thursday in the Strasbourg International.

Qualifier Pella advances in Duesseldorf tennis

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) -- Qualifier Guido Pella of Argentina advanced to his first semifinal match on the ATP Tour by beating seventh-seeded Viktor Troicki 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the Power Horse Cup on Thursday.